SKUAST – Jammu defies Government Orders in Covid containing efforts
Northlines Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, July 10: Amidst the worsening of Corona situation in the country and its serious impact in Jammu and Kashmir too, what seems worrying and confusing to the commoner is the numerous orders and SOPs being issued on daily basis by the multiple authorities in J&K Administration. However, nobody bothers whether those orders are complied with or not.
In an interesting case, the Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science & Technology, Jammu (SKUAST) has not complied with the government order 277 – JK (HE) of 2020 3.07.2020 issued by the Higher Education Department of Jammu Kashmir that directed the closure of all Education Institutions – colleges, universities included due to the prolonging Covid pandemic.
Vide this Government order the Higher Education department had ordered that the classwork in all higher education institutions be suspended till 31 July 2020. Faculty members, teachers, researchers and non-teaching staff have been asked to work from home.
It was also directed that the staff be available when requisition by the principal concerned/ administration in special cases. This order was issued in pursuance to the guidelines on Unlock-2 notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India wide its notification dated 29 June 2020 along with earlier standing orders.
While all the Education Institutions including the Universities in J&K – Jammu University, Baba Ghulam Shah University, Kashmir University and SKUAST Kashmir have followed the government instructions and issued their official circulars for the compliance, the SKUAST Jammu did not bother the enforceable government instructions and have been continuing ignoring the serious consequences of possible spread of Covid in its Campus.
“This action of the SKUAST – Jammu is highly ignorant and appears to have been taken by the head of SKUAST perhaps in a portrayal of what could be attributed to self-righteousness,” commented a member of faculty when asked.
It is amusing to note that the Varsity which is headed by the Lieutenant Governor, GC Murmu as its Chancellor has been defying his Administration's official instructions on the issue of containing Covid spread.
The Registrar, SKUAST, Jammu Rajesh Talwar, told that he is not competent to speak on the matter and better the scribe should contact the Vice Chancellor.
A senior officer on condition of anonymity however said that for the functioning of the Varsity though affected by the Covid situation, the staff has to justify the monthly salary that they draw and they have been asked to attend office. However, attempts to contact VC did not succeed.
The buses of SKUAST-Jammu are seen plying on the roads of Jammu City with staffers loaded. Despite this, the administration which claims to have full control has let this one slip, which has all potential to turn nasty.
There is a certain tug-of-war inside bureaucracy which could be sensed given the current work trend of the administration. One officer makes an order followed by multiple revisions, with a fate of getting scrapped a month or so later. In an environment of babu culture that has taken over the center-stage in Jammu Kashmir, all bureaucrats are trying to impose authority and show supremacy.
Recently, about 15 to 16 employees of the Pepsi plant in Jammu Tawi tested positive for COVID-19. Given that it's a food processing unit, how many infected men and consignments had exited the plant and tracing it back only raises doubts on the efficient working of the administration.
The denial to follow strictly binding orders by a varsity right under the LG's nose is rebellious and should attract heavy penalty. The administration, however, seems to have turned a blind eye towards it. Ignorance of the ones calling the shots is fatal to all extremities if not checked soon.
