JKTF nominates office bearers, Afzal Bhat named it’s new President

Srinagar: Rafiq Rather the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) and the newly elected President Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) on Thursday nominated Mohammad Afzal Bhat as President Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum and voiced his serious concern over the government’s apathy towards the pending issues of the teachers. He also reiterated that the activities of the Jammu & Kashmir Teachers’ Forum (JKTF) forum and the role of it’s leadership in fighting battles for the resolution of contentious issues of the government teachers is praiseworthy.
Addressing his maiden press conference here in Srinagar after his election as President Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Rather the Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum while announcing the new office bearers of Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) said “Teachers have nourished this organization with sweat & blood & their unflinching support made it possible that the organization worked with more valor and zeal for the restoration of honor &the dignity of employees as a whole,” he said.
Expressing his serious concern over the Govt.’s apathy over pending issues confronted by the teaching community, he stressed upon the concerned authorities for their immediate redressal. Rather said teachers were playing a multifaceted role in any unforeseen organization delaying their legitimate demands to make them suffer is complete injustice. He also said that the Teachers Forum will not tolerate delaying tactics henceforth. Saying that “Grade 2 and Grade 3 teachers are suffering hugely for the want of their pending salaries for last several months and some of them are still waiting for their confirmation orders”, he said “the issue of posting of head teachers is still pending.” He also highlighted the issues including the inclusion of 16 years of service of migrant teachers in their service records, confirmation of contingent paid workers, confirmation of lecturers promoted after 2011 & release of charge allowances in favor of recently promoted lecturers. Rather asked the Government to resolve the pending issues immediately or face consequences of a mass agitation by employees.
While expressing his dissatisfaction over the performance of the teachers’ forum
during the last two years, he said efforts will be taken to address issues and concerns of teachers and assured that there will be no compromise in the protecting honor and dignity of teachers. Expressing satisfaction and happiness on the joining of founder members he said that every well-wisher of the teaching community is welcomed to strengthen the organisation at gross root level. On the occasion founder leader and Provincial President Mohd Afzal Bhat
was nominated as President JKTF, Shabir Ahmad Bhat as General Secretary, Showkat Ali Baig as Provincial President, Gh Nabi Sofi as state secretary, Gh Hassan Zargar as Provincial General Secretary and Javid Ahmad khan as Provincial vice president. Rafique Rather in his concluding comments expressed hope that teachers Forum will touch new heights under the leadership of Mohd Afzal Bhat. Talking to reporters Mohd Afzal Bhat said, “he is founding member & always stressed for the unity of all caders.” Saying that he was happy to see the leadership for a bigger cause Bhat said the time has come when need to shun the path of arrogance and self-interests. He however, appealed all the teachers to come under single umbrella so that the issues confronting them are taken with the officers at helm of affairs for immediate redressal.