The Academic Arrangement faculty in Jammu and Kashmir has been facing a challenging and frustrating situation, as they await their joining orders despite being appointed for the academic session starting from August 1, 2024. These highly qualified lecturers, appointed on UGC criteria, are yet to receive their joining letters, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and distress.
The Directorate of Colleges had earlier decided to commence the academic session simultaneously for both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, and contractual lecturers were asked to serve for the full session, from August to August. However, as the class work began, the authorities failed to send joining orders to the appointed faculty. This delay has raised serious concerns among the contractual lecturers, who have been left without clarity on their employment status.
When questioned by the media, the authorities cited the need for permission from the Election Commission as the reason for the delay in issuing joining orders. This explanation, however, raises more questions than it answers. If there were indeed obstacles in sending joining orders to the contractual faculty, how did the permanent faculty manage to join their respective colleges smoothly? This inconsistency has fueled frustration among the contractual faculty, who feel they are being unfairly treated.
The situation is particularly dire in the cluster colleges of Srinagar, where the authorities called and emailed the contractual faculty to join, yet the nodal principal and director of higher education have seemingly stalled the process. This has led to widespread discontent among the academic arrangement faculty, who feel they are being unjustly punished despite meeting all the qualifications required by the UGC.
The issue has garnered attention from several media personalities, including Ravish Kumar, who highlighted the plight of the contractual lecturers. However, despite the media coverage, the system remains rigid, and the situation is unchanged. The UGC guidelines that were followed during the appointment process seem to be disregarded when it comes to salaries. While Ladakh, which became a Union Territory at the same time as Jammu and Kashmir, provides its contractual faculty with a monthly salary of Rs 57,700 for the full year, Jammu and Kashmir offers a meagre Rs 28,000 for only eight to nine months. This glaring disparity has further fueled the discontent among the academic arrangement faculty.
The consequences of this neglect are severe. Faculty members are struggling to make ends meet, with many falling into depression, battling stress-related illnesses like diabetes, and facing financial instability. Families are suffering as the breadwinners of the household are left without a secure income. Despite numerous protests, pleas to officials, and media coverage, the situation remains unchanged.
One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of this ongoing struggle is the fate of those who have worked in the colleges for over a decade, only to pass away without ever receiving permanent status. Their families are left in chaos, with no one to turn to for support. The uncertainty and lack of respect faced by these dedicated professionals are a stark reminder of the flaws within the system.
A recent personal encounter further highlights the indifference faced by the academic arrangement faculty. During a visit to a college, a chemistry professor, despite being informed in advance of the visitor’s arrival, dismissed them without a second thought. The visitor, who had been working in the college since 2013, was left hurt by the treatment received from a professor who had joined three years later, simply because they had not been granted permanent status. This incident underscores the lack of respect and recognition given to highly qualified youth who contribute significantly to the education system.
The academic arrangement faculty of Jammu and Kashmir are not asking for special treatment; they are asking for fairness, respect, and the opportunity to serve in their rightful positions. It is time for the authorities to address these concerns, rectify the disparities, and ensure that the highly qualified youth of Jammu and Kashmir are treated with the dignity they deserve.

By Dr Aasif Ahmad Dar
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