Youth rejected gun culture and Azadi

Govt working for political solution: Omar

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stated that his government was working in the direction towards a political solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir as desired by the youth of the state, who had “rejected the gun culture, merger with Pakistan and Azadi.” 

Omar was talking to media persons on the sidelines of State Level Education Conference at Jammu University.

The Chief Minister said, “The youths want that there should a political solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir and we are also working in this direction.”

While referring to a study conducted by Delhi-based Institute for Research on India and International Studies, which said that youngsters in Kashmir did not support the gun, he stated, “This is true that Kashmir youngsters have rejected gun culture, merger with Pakistan and Azadi and have favored good governance and corruption-free state.”

Chief Minister, while commenting on Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) supremo Syed Salahudin's boycott call for Municipal elections, said, “It is not a new thing. We will hold elections and those who want to take part in it can take part.”

Earlier, speaking at the State Level Education Conference, the Chief Minister highlighted the role of teachers as architects of future impressing upon them to render sincere service of moulding students as responsible and qualified citizens to face futuristic challenges in a befitting manner.  He said, “It is my cherished desire to restore the unique dignity and honour of teachers who used to command respect in the society in the past,” and asked the teachers in realizing this goal once again. 

The function was held to facilitate the Chief Minister for regularizing over 8000 Headmasters and 10+2 Lecturers granting them one time exception. It was organized by the J&K State School Teachers Coordination Committee.  

  

“Your service delivery in making educational institutions as seats of academic excellence and moral teaching is imperative in this direction,” Omar said and added that the role of teacher was pivotal in bringing about social change and creating disciplined, honest, dedicated, qualified and responsible society. He asked the teachers to nurture and groom students in the best forms.

“I am here to address your all genuine demands,” he said telling the teachers to provide sincere and best service to the state without any asking for the same.           

Stressing the need of making education free from political and other influences, the Chief Minister said that he would always support a set pattern and norms for transfers, creation and upgradation of new schools and implementation of flagship programmes like RMSA and SSA.

“By utilizing modern technology we can easily ascertain the requirement of schools, colleges, technical institutes and the need for up-gradation of these institutions in far-flung, remote and backward villages. I want set norms for this purpose free, from political and other influences,” he said adding that the system could be only built when teachers would also shun the practice of using political influence for their transfers and attachments.

The Chief Minister said that he had put in place a transfer policy in the departments of Power and R&B under his charge and that, he said, was being followed thoroughly in these departments. “I would like similar transfer policies in Education and other departments,” he added.

Omar said that in order to make transparency rule the roost and ensure time line completion of projects he recently approved independent third party monitoring for flagship programmes of RMSA and SSA in Education department. He said the independent monitoring in Power Department and PMGSY scheme was already in place and McKensy and NABCOMS were conducting this monitoring at present.          

The Chief Minister said that one time exception in the regularization of teachers was first ordered by the Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and then the same concession was granted by Dr. Farooq Abdullah and he was the third in the row to sanction this kind of exception to the teachers.

“This is in other words a ‘third time’ one time exception,” he said in a lighter vein. Omar said that his government believed in employee-friendly policy and nurtured the same during last three years to address the problems of employees and accommodate their genuine demands. “Whether it was granting 6th pay commission award, DA installments, pay commission arrears or regularization of Rehbar-e-Zerat, headmasters, 10+2 lecturers or others my government showed positive attitude in this regard,” he said adding that the enhancement of remunerations of ReT teachers was under live consideration of the government.           

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for supporting the genuine demands of teachers and granting one time exception in the regularization of headmasters and 10+2 lecturers.            “This issue was hanging in balance for last 18 years and many beneficiaries had either been retired or passed away. You made the complex issue easy to resolve,” he said adding that the teacher friendly approach of Omar Abdullah was in his blood as Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was keeping this fraternity dearest.

The Education Minister said that teachers in the state were both qualified and dedicated towards their service which resulted in the increase of literacy percentage in the state. He said Education department was pursuing the target of 100 percent literacy and measures were already in place in this direction.

Chairman Employees Joint Action Committee, J&K Teachers Coordination Committee and President Teachers Forum, Abdul Qayoom also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for granting one time exception in the regularization of 10+2 lecturers and headmasters.

“We thank you for fulfilling your promise and resolving the most complex issue,” he said pinpointing various other demands of the teaching fraternity asking for Chief Minister’s similar support and attention towards these.President Lecturers’ Forum, S. D. Qureshi also thanked the Chief Minister.Director School Education, Jammu, Gulzar Qureshi in his speech highlighted the achievements registered in the education sector in Jammu division during last three years.Director School Education, Kashmir, Shugufta Parveen and other officers of the Education Department were present on the occasion.