Srinagar, Oct 09 (Scoop News) – The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association delegation here today called JK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar and briefed him on various issues related to students and programs related to young people, policies on the territory of the Union. During the meeting, a delegation led by the association’s national leader Nasir Khuehami shared various problems faced by the students. Members of the delegation include National Spokesperson Ummar Jamal, National Secretary Davood Peer and Tribal Chief Showkat Choudhary.
The delegation submitted a brief of demands regarding the welfare of the J&K student community, including the establishment of the National Law University; introduction of a training course for higher education teachers; creation of the Women Degree College in Bandipora; improving PG seats in J&K medical schools and speeding up the recruitment process.
In a statement, National Association Organizer Nasir Khuehami said: “We have raised the issue of delayed exams and delayed results at the kind advice of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, results are not uploaded in time. , the exams are not held according to schedule, the academic calendar is not followed in letter and spirit and there is a strong need to change this system of delayed exams and delayed degrees at the University of Kashmir. Moreover, the “one person, one post policy” is not followed at the University of Kashmir resulting in students having to suffer academically.Faculty members are appointed to posts nearly a dozen teachers and officers hold administrative positions as an additional charge,” he added.
Other major claims put forward by the delegation include widespread favoritism and nepotism in the University of Kashmir. Responding to this, the Lieutenant Governor assured that he will soon be uprooted. Khuehami brought in her notice the long pending demand of Bandipora students to establish a women’s diploma college there. “Bandipora, which is known for Alim (knowledge) Adab (habits and literature) and Aab (water) has been sadly neglected by successive governments vis-à-vis the establishment of a women’s college. Bandipora female students must either go to Srinagar or Baramulla for further study as a result of which a large number of students drop out after passing class 12. Students from Ajas, Gamroo, Aragam, Papachan, Nadihal and other nearby areas must travel throughout Srinagar for higher education after 12th grade as it takes less time to reach Srinagar than to GDC Bandipora.
The association’s national spokesperson, Ummar Jamal, informed the Lieutenant Governor that J&K had a great need for the National Law University. He informed him that Karnataka got its National Law University in 1988 but J&K has yet to get one even after an interlude of 34 odd years after the establishment of the first NLU. Twenty-one states in India have established NLUs. J&K, despite being the 12th largest among the 37 states/UT by geographic area and 19th by population with over 14 million residents, does not yet have its own national law school.
Jamal asked the lieutenant governor to quickly create a national law school to put J&K on par with other states that already have national law schools. He also asked him to set up a training course for higher education teachers. Other demands projected and highlighted by the association include-; Increase from 3 to 4 supernumerary places and reservation in each of the prestigious universities, introduction of training courses for higher education teachers.
Responding to the association’s requests on occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha listened patiently to the issues and ensured that all possible measures were taken for them and would be considered and dealt with on merit. He informed that the J&K government has reconstituted the Higher Education Council (HEC) for two years to guide the government on policy development and innovations in the Department of Higher Education, which will be headed by him- even introducing such a measure here. J&K can become the first state in India to introduce such a revolutionary measure in the higher education department.
The Peer of Davood, National Secretary of the Association, expressed his gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for his patient hearing and hoped that all issues raised in his notice will be resolved as soon as possible. He asked the Lieutenant-Governor to speed up the recruitment process so that the students who present themselves for the various competitions do not suffer. He also pleaded with him to improve the PG seats in medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. In his interactions with the J&K Student Association delegation, the Lieutenant Governor observed that the UT government is working hard to ensure access to quality education for all.
We implement the National Education Policy in letter and spirit and ensure that all educational institutions maintain academic standards and empower students to be a key driver of socio-economic growth of the Union Territory of J&K and the Nation, added the Lieutenant Governor. He informed that he is closely monitoring the situation and the problems of the students and offering all possible support. The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegation that the administration will review the J&K Sub-Inspector, Financial Account Assistant and JE positions at the earliest, hopefully by November. He clarified that the days of people being selected by running a racket are over. The culprits will not be spared, few have been arrested and are behind bars and there will be no compromise on merit. Students will receive the best support in all respects, he assured the delegation.
Tribal leader Showkat Choudhary expressed his gratitude for the steps taken by the LG administration since his tenure for the empowerment of tribal students through education by introducing new initiatives such as “Star-100”, “Host-50” , modernization of tribal student hostels, etc. Association also thanked the administration for dealing with the issues of the Pahari students on merit. However, more work needs to be done on poor physical facilities, expensive schooling, lack of teaching staff and punitive practices in educational institutions within the tribal area.
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