Anantnag, Sep 08: MBBS Interns of the Government Medical College Anantnag “strongly” condemned the issuance of a show-cause notice to the two student representatives- Dr. Mohammad Akib Javid and Dr. Runga Zamin Javaid- in connection with the ongoing interns’ protest for their legitimate stipend demands.

In a statement, the MBBS interns said, “It is deeply concerning that, out of the entire group of protesting interns, the administration has chosen to issue the notice specifically to the two representatives who have been communicating the collective concerns of the interns.”

“We believe that raising genuine grievances and representing fellow students cannot be equated with gross indiscipline or professional misconduct,” it added.

The notice issued by the medical college warns of the possibility of curtailment, temporary suspension and even cancellation of internship.

Reacting to the move, the interns said that such a language is extremely intimidating and has created a sense of fear among interns who are simply demanding their legitimate rights.

They said that student representation is not misconduct and raising legitimate concerns is not an act of indiscipline. They urged authorities to engage with the representatives through dialogue rather than threatening them with punitive action.

“We remain respectful of the institution and the authorities, but respect must be mutual,” the statement said.

The internee students appealed to the administration and the concerned authorities to withdraw the notice and resolve the stipend issue through meaningful dialogue rather than coercion or intimidation.

“Our representatives will not be abandoned. We stand united, and our demand for justice, dignity and a fair stipend will continue peacefully and democratically,” the students said.

Srinagar, Sep 7: Stating that working without a promotion for the last 16 years amounts to gross injustice, the All-Migrant Employees Association Kashmir (AMEAK) has demanded the promotion of teachers, MTS employees and Data Entry Operators appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package since 2010 to address their long-pending grievance of professional stagnation.

In a press statement, AMEAK President RubonSaproo, as per a statement issued on Monday, said that nearly 70 percent of the employees appointed under the PM Package in 2010 were teachers, but unfortunately, they have not been granted any promotion to date despite having completed the requisite years of service.

He said MTS employees of the Revenue Department and Data Entry Operators in the Finance Department were also facing a similar issue where the MTS employees of the Finance Department had already undergone the DPC process but were awaiting the formal issuance of promotion orders.

He also pointed out that Government Order No. JK-34-DMRRR, issued in 2022, already provides a mechanism under which PM Package employees can be considered for promotion. The order envisages the framing of a parallel promotion list corresponding to the general cadre for granting promotions to package employees, however, their promotions should not be linked to promotions in the general cadre, as the PM Package is supernumerary and distinct in nature.

Appealing to the government to implement the provisions of the 2022 order in letter and spirit, Saproo said that despite the existence of a specific government order facilitating the promotion of package employees, teachers appointed under the package have remained deprived of this basic career benefit for years. “Nearly 80 percent of the package teachers appointed in 2010 are likely to retire within the next six to ten years and not granting them promotion is not only unjust but also defeats the very purpose of the provisions made for these employees,” he said.

He further stressed that MTS employees of the Revenue Department and Data Entry Operators of the Finance Department deserve fair treatment in matters of promotion. He called for the immediate issuance of formal promotion orders in favour of the MTS employees of the Finance Department, who have already completed the DPC process.

“These employees have rendered more than a decade of service under extremely difficult circumstances and keeping them stagnated at the same level since their appointment is neither fair nor consistent with the spirit of the government order,” Saproo said.

Srinagar, Sep 08: National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq on Monday backed the protesting doctors in Jammu and Kashmir, saying their concerns were genuine and should be resolved at the earliest while condemning any threats issued against them.

Sadiq said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had acknowledged the issue and that Health Minister Sakina Itoo was personally looking into it.

“Omar Sahib said yesterday that this is certainly a genuine issue and that it needs to be resolved at the earliest,” Sadiq said. “That is why our honourable Minister, Sakina Ji, is personally looking into it. Inshallah, we hope that a resolution will be reached as soon as possible.”

Asked about reports that protesting doctors had received threats, Sadiq strongly condemned any such threats and defended their right to demonstrate.

“If there are threats, that is very wrong. They are our children; they are the sons and daughters of the soil,” he said.

Sadiq added that protesting was a legitimate democratic right as long as it was conducted peacefully.

“They have every right to protest. We have always said that everyone has the right to protest in a democratic manner, and they have that right too,” he said, adding that efforts would continue to address their concerns.

His remarks came ahead of the upcoming Assembly session, where the doctors’ issue is expected to be among the matters raised by members.

On the Opposition’s likely strategy in the Assembly, Sadiq said the BJP had every right to question the government but should focus on issues concerning the people.

“They do that; it is the job of the Opposition. We have no problem if they raise issues,” he said. “One thing we need to understand is that questions concerning the people are raised in the Assembly, bills are introduced and resolutions are brought.”

“The Assembly is an important platform where we can speak about the concerns of the people,” he said, urging the Opposition to use the House to raise public issues.

“My advice would be that the Opposition should allow the issues of the people to be discussed in the Assembly and should put forward its own views. They have a right to do so, and they should certainly exercise that right,” Sadiq said.

Sadiq was also asked about the legacy of National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah, and said his contribution to Jammu and Kashmir could not be adequately described.

“Whatever we say in praise of Sher-e-Kashmir’s contribution to every sphere of Jammu and Kashmir and to the country is not enough,” he said, citing his contributions to education, healthcare and social reform.

He particularly referred to Sheikh Abdullah’s land reforms, saying that the “land to the tiller” policy transformed the lives of people by giving them ownership of the land they cultivated.

Sadiq also credited Sheikh Abdullah with laying the foundations that enabled generations of students from Jammu and Kashmir to pursue education across India and abroad, and highlighted his contribution to women’s representation and the development of educational and agricultural institutions in the region.

Srinagar, Sept 08: The National Conference on Tuesday paid tributes to party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 44th death anniversary in Srinagar’s Naseem Bagh. 

According to details, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah visited the grave of Sheikh Abdullah and paid floral tributes. They also offered Fateha and prayed at his grave.

Several NC leaders, MLAs, senior party functionaries, workers and supporters also gathered in Naseem Bagh and paid tributes to the late leader.

Notably, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, popularly known as Sher-e-Kashmir, was the founder of the National Conference and served as the first elected Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He died on September 8, 1982. —(KNO)