Srinagar, Jun 11 (KNS): A group of Junior Assistants in the Jammu and Kashmir Law Department on Thursday alleged irregularities in the department's recent Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) proceedings and sought cancellation of recommendations for promotion to the post of Senior Assistant.
The employees claimed that some officials who have not qualified the Secretariat Assistant Training Course (SATC) were recommended for promotion despite service rules allegedly making the qualification mandatory for elevation from Junior Assistant to Senior Assistant.
In a representation submitted to the authorities, the employees contended that the recommendations were contrary to the provisions of SRO 272 of 2008 and SO 205 of 2021, which, they said, prescribe SATC qualification as an essential condition for promotion.
They alleged that the General Administration Department (GAD) and several other government departments have been following the requirement while processing promotions and claimed that deviation from the practice in the Law Department would amount to unequal treatment of employees.
The employees further said that several SATC-qualified Junior Assistants, some of whom have completed nearly a decade of service, continue to await promotion despite the availability of vacancies in the Senior Assistant cadre.
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According to them, Annual Performance Reports and vigilance clearances were obtained from eligible officials, but candidates lacking the requisite qualification were allegedly recommended by the DPC.
The aggrieved employees have sought cancellation of the DPC recommendations, consideration of eligible SATC-qualified officials against available vacancies and uniform implementation of the relevant service rules across departments.
They have also requested the authorities to fix responsibility in case any violation of rules is established.
The employees appealed to the Chief Secretary, the General Administration Department and the Finance Department to intervene in the matter and review the recommendations.
They said they may approach the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for legal remedy if their grievances are not addressed.
There was no immediate response from the Law Department to the allegations.(KNS).