Suhail Rather

Bandipora, October 16 (KNS): The transfer request of a government school teacher undergoing treatment for cancer has allegedly been rejected six times by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Bandipora, since February 2025, prompting her family to question the handling of her case and seek intervention.

According to the family, the teacher was diagnosed with carcinoma of the nasopharynx in February 2025 and subsequently underwent surgeries and chemotherapy. They said she had sought a transfer to a nearby school where, they claimed, vacancies were available.

The family alleged that her applications were repeatedly returned or rejected and that her case was not forwarded to the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) for consideration. They further claimed that some vacancies were subsequently filled, following which the unavailability of posts was cited as a reason for not accommodating her.

Her relatives also alleged that she was asked to visit the CEO’s office in person despite undergoing treatment and was reprimanded over her transfer representation. They said an alternative arrangement through mutual transfer, with a colleague reportedly willing to move to another school, was also turned down.

The family questioned why the case was not referred to the competent authority for consideration on medical grounds. They also raised allegations of inconsistencies in the handling of transfer requests, claiming that some mutual transfers had been facilitated without the requisite approval of the Director of School Education Kashmir.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The issue was also raised by MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat, who called for a clear policy governing the transfer and posting of employees suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.

In a post on X, Bhat questioned the absence of a clear policy and expressed concern that delays in transfer decisions could adversely affect employees battling life-threatening diseases. He also called for proceedings against officials found responsible for negligence or avoidable delays in processing such cases.

When contacted, CEO Bandipora Rafiq Ahmad Mir said he was not aware of the specific case and sought details for verification. He also stated that he had personally marked the teacher’s applications for processing in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

“Teacher transfers are now online. We can shift a teacher from one school to another where there is a requirement, depending on the number of teachers and students. Such arrangements may be made for a month or two,” he said.

The CEO maintained that transfers were being dealt with under the prescribed rules through the online system.

The case has brought renewed attention to the need for a transparent and compassionate mechanism to deal with transfer requests from employees facing serious medical conditions, while ensuring that decisions are taken in accordance with applicable rules.

The family has sought a review of the teacher’s case and questioned the repeated rejection of her request despite her ongoing treatment. (KNS)