JAMMU, Feb 7: A deputation of the All Jammu and Kashmir Graduate Engineers Association (Civil), led by its president Gopal Sharma, met with Minister for Jal Shakti Department , Javed Rana, to highlight the pressing issues faced by engineers in the Department due to acute staff shortages at various levels.
The delegation apprised the Minister of the severe shortage of engineers, particularly Superintending Engineers and Chief Engineers, adding that many departments under the JSD are on the verge of becoming headless due to mass retirements.
It is to mention here that 03 Chief Engineers are set to retire by March 31, leaving only two CEs against the sanctioned 21 Cadre/Ex-Cadre posts.
Experts speaking to Cross Town News said what Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, done in one last year for promotions , keeping such a huge number of top posts vacant & assigning additional charge.
Otherwise, ACS Jal SHakt, should have done the needful well in time to fill up the vacant posts by all legal means, so that some senior Engineers, who retired by not getting the level of next post despite the Engineers were due for the higher post as per their seniority & availability of the post.
Above all it is also to mention here that, 29 posts of SEs and over 247 posts of Assistant Executive Engineers remain vacant, along with all AE posts in the 60% quota reserved for Graduate Engineers.
The Association stressed that the file for one-time relaxation of qualifying service for promotions from Executive Engineer to SE remains stalled. With only two SEs currently in place against a sanctioned strength of 31, the Department is facing a crisis that could severely impact key projects, including JJM water supply schemes.
The delegation also urged immediate approval of the “Cadre Review” proposal for streamlining departmental functioning and rationalizing engineers.
They highlighted that the Assured Career Progression Scheme, approved for engineers after persistent efforts, remains unimplemented due to pending SRO issuance by the Finance Department.
The Minister gave a patient hearing and instructed his OSD to prepare a detailed note on the demands, especially regarding relaxation in qualifying service for promotions.
He assured the delegation that he would escalate the matter to the highest level for a swift resolution, reaffirming his commitment to elevating the Department with engineers’ support.
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