 Early Times Report
DODA, Sept 20: In a show of collective dissatisfaction, the teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Degree College (GDC) Doda came together to stage a two-hour "Pen Down" token protest against the unjustified stoppage of their salaries by the District Administration Doda. This protest, marked by a pause in their work, highlighted the grievances faced by the staff despite adhering to the Government's approved Aadhaar-enabled Biometric attendance system, as mandated by orders from the General Administration Department and Higher Education Department. The staff's frustration stemmed from the abrupt halt in their salary disbursements, a puzzling development considering their punctual attendance marked through the government-approved Aadhaar-enabled Biometric attendance system. This system, in place by directive from the General Administration Department and Higher Education Department, ensures accurate attendance tracking. Furthermore, the staff expressed their discontent over the unilateral imposition of a multiple attendance system in colleges without the concurrence of their parent department, the Higher Education Department of Jammu & Kashmir. Given that the principal of the college holds the position of a Major Head of the department, attendance has traditionally been monitored by the Director of Colleges and the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department since the inception of this system. The token protest garnered support from the College Teachers Association across all colleges in the Jammu division. The teaching and non-teaching staff of GDC Doda united in this pen down protest to draw attention to their plight, which includes the inability to meet financial obligations such as EMI payments, house rent, school fees, and hostel fees for their wards. The Pen Down protest serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by dedicated educators and staff members who find themselves caught in bureaucratic quagmires, unable to access their rightful salaries despite fulfilling their duties diligently.
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