Prime Minister’s Job Package: 200 teachers on waiting list asked to join duty

200 teachers on waiting list asked to join duty
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 11
Despite receiving a warm welcome in the Kashmir valley, a large number of teachers, appointed under the Prime Minister’s employment package for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, are in a dilemma and have not joined duty in the Valley.

Taking a serious note of the development, as 355 of the 1,220 selected candidates have not reported to the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) concerned for joining duty, the Education Department has now asked 200 candidates on the waiting list to join duty within 21 days.

The government had created 1,590 posts of teacher under the Prime Minister’s special package and the Staff Selection Board (SSB) had selected 1,220 candidates on August 20, 2010. The selected candidates were directed to report to the CEOs concerned in the Valley within 30 days so as to confirm their joining of duty. On April 28, 2011, a notice was issued to 362 candidates to report on duty in their respective districts within 15 days, but most of them failed to do so, a senior official of the Education Department said.

He added that only seven candidates had reported to the respective CEOs and 355 posts remained vacant. “Now, we have asked 200 candidates on the waiting list to report within 21 days to the respective CEOs to fill these posts,” he added.

However, media reports said those who joined duty in the Valley received a good response from the locals. A few candidates had told The Tribune that they got unexpected support and love from the locals in the Valley.

Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, at a public function recently, said the government was trying hard to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits, but they would also have to take initiative.

Vinod Koul, Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation Department, said, “Yes, some candidates have failed to join duty in the Valley, but the overall response has been good. There is nothing to worry about and the process is on to fill vacant posts”.

Prime Minister’s Job Package

• As many as 355 of the 1,220 selected teachers have not reported to the Chief Education Officers concerned for joining duty
• The government had created 1,590 posts of teacher under the Prime Minister’s special package
• The Staff Selection Board had selected 1,220 teachers on August 20, 2010
• On April 28, 2011, a notice was issued to 362 candidates to report on duty in their respective districts within 15 days, but most of them failed to do so
• These candidates are migrant Kashmiri Pandits who were given jobs with a view to rehabilitating them in the Valley

Courtesy: The Tribune