Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir high court has asked the Higher Education Department to explain why court should not file contempt charges against the department for violating court orders.
Around 300 senior college contractual lecturers who have served the department for the last more-than-10 years have approached the court for status quo, asking the Higher Education Department to allow them to maintain their positions in the department.
However, the department has failed to follow the court orders for the last three years and it has been proven in court that the department has violated court orders.
“Prima facie the court is satisfied that the respondents have committed contempt of the court, therefore, Registry is directed to frame rules against the respondent for asking as to why they shall not be punished for contempt of the court and shall report compliance allowing the petitioner in true with the directions passed by this court,” reads the court order issued on September 1, a copy of which is lying with Free Press Kashmir.
Contractual lecturers say they have been left on the ‘verge of starvation despite court directives’ as the department is not assigning them with classes despite the vacancy.
“Director Colleges has time and again deceived us as well as court. Since 2019, we have been mentally and financially tortured. There are sufficient vacancies available in each department but they are not assigning us duties,” said one of the senior contractual lecturers.
“They are bringing new arrangements but not utilising our services. This is sheer injustice with us. We have been in the department for the last 7 to 15 years and all of us have passed the upper age limit due to which we are not eligible for any other job. Our families rely on us. We are not able to feed them,” the lecturer added.
“We request Lt Manoj Sinha and Advisor higher education department to kindly intervene into the matter and save our career,” he added.
Director Colleges, Yasmeena Ashai did not response to journalistic queries by Free Press Kashmir.
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