JK min orders probe into violation of transfer policy

Jammu and Kashmir minister Naeem Akhtar today called for a probe into the allegations of violation of transfer policy by the state Education department.
The Education Minister was speaking in the Upper House in response to the allegations made by BJP member Vibod Gupta that the teachers in Rajouri district of the state were being transfered prematurely.
He maintained that the transfer of teachers was made strictly as per norms set under transfer policy of the Education department.
"In Kashmir zone, the transfer of teachers is made during winter vacations, and in Jammu the same takes place during summer vacations to avoid disruption during mid-session," Akhtar said.

Gupta, however, alleged that premature transfers and violation of transfer policy have been done by senior officers of the Education department and demanded a probe.
Akhtar asked the BJP leader to provide him the list of such erring officers and assured him a probe into the allegations.

The PDP minister said the government has initiated series of reforms to bring transparency in the working of the Education department.
"The department has created a database wherein information regarding transfers, school buildings, roll of students and number of teachers posted in each school is available," he said.
Akhtar said the basic purpose for the engagement of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReTs) under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is to teach a particular locality having low literacy rate and the transfer of teachers will fail the very purpose of the scheme, and no such transfer policy is yet in place.

He said the government would take a view on the transfer of ReTs after their regularisation in such a way that the spirit of the policy does not get affected.
In reply to a question, the minister said 33 Principals and equivalents, 61 Headmasters and 117 Lecturers besides 453 teachers and 24 newly promoted masters were transferred during last one year in Rajouri district.
He said 24 new masters have been adjusted so far and the adjustment of remaining promotees was under examination of the department.