SKUAST accused of ignoring committee recommendations

Srinagar, Feb 17: Employees at SK University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kashmir, (SKUAST-K) have accused the administration of not implementing the recommendations made by a committee and “deliberately transferring officials out of personal animosity”.
The committee, headed by Dr Badural Hassan, submitted its recommendations in June 2017 for redress of grievances of non-teaching employees of the university.
However, nine months later, the university administration has not implemented the recommendations.
President Non-Teaching Employees Association, SKUAST-K, Mohammad Younis Khan, claimed that the Vice-Chancellor has issued directives for “timely” implementation of the recommendations.
“The administration is not interested in resolving the legitimate demands of employees,” he said.
He accused that a few officials in the administration were creating “hindrances” in addressing the grievances of the employees.
“We deferred our strike on Wednesday only on the assurance of the Vice-Chancellor that the recommendations of the report will be implemented,” he added.
He said the university lacks non-teaching manpower.
“In some departments, DDOs have to look after three to four departments,” he said.
He accused the administration of transferring the employees on “personal animosity”.
“Nobody fighting for the employees’ rights is spared. Even I have been transferred to far-flung area of Kangan,” Khan said.
He said there were over 400 daily-wagers working in the varsity for the last 25-years.
“Nothing is being done for their regularisation,” he said.
The NTEA has been demanding direct recruitment for assistant comptroller and assistant registrars posts.
“There are already suitable candidates available for these posts,” he added.
Registrar SKUAST, Dr Masaud ul Haq, claimed that all “genuine grievances” of the employees have already been addressed.
“The recommendations of the committee have been implemented. There are a few things that needs concurrence from the varsity’s governing body due to legal implications,” he said.
However, he denied that any deliberate disruptions were being created.
On the accusations related to transfers, the Registrar said, “Employees are being transferred as per rules in the interest of administration.”
“The overstaying officials are being shifted as per the rules. There is an order that officials in accounts section should be rotated. Their president had the longest stay at the university, so he was transferred as per the rules.”