Kupwara, Nov 8: The government is actively reviewing the possibility of increasing the salaries of lecturers engaged on an academic arrangement basis in colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department, Shantmanu, said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after an extensive tour of Government Degree College (GDC) Handwara, Shantmanu acknowledged that demands for a salary hike from these lecturers have been raised repeatedly.
“Requests for enhancement of salaries are being received frequently, and even the media continues to highlight this issue. Presently, the monthly salary of Rs 28,000 for academic arrangement lecturers is being drawn from college funds and other limited sources. We are trying to find a sustainable solution to this,” he said.
He added that the Union Territory government would take up the matter with the Central Government and NITI Aayog later this month to explore a mechanism similar to that under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the School Education Department.
“Under SSA, the salaries of additional teachers in the School Education Department are covered by central support. However, there is no such provision in the Higher Education Department. We are working to create a similar framework, and once it materialises, the salaries of academic arrangement lecturers will be enhanced without delay,” Shantmanu said.
Responding to a query about the demand for a separate women’s college in Handwara, he said the government’s current focus is on consolidating newly established colleges to ensure they function effectively and meet their objectives.
On the issue of vacant principal posts in several colleges, including GDC Handwara, Shantmanu said, “Many colleges are without permanent principals due to a court case. Since the case now stands resolved, appointments will soon be made to fill these vacancies.”
He also announced that an auditorium and college buses would be provided to GDC Handwara to improve infrastructure and student convenience.
Earlier, Shantmanu was received by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara, Tehsildar Handwara, and the Incharge Principal of the College. During his visit, he inspected various academic blocks, interacted with students and faculty, and took firsthand feedback on academic facilities. He appreciated the students’ discipline and the commitment of the teaching staff.
