Srinagar, 25th Sep: CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has expressed anguish over the latest order of Jammu and Kashmir administration to abolish 234 supernumerary posts of Forest Guards created for the engagement of registered unemployed Forestry Graduates, DDRS and Postgraduates as ‘Rehbar-e-Janglat’ termed it as another jolt to the highly educated youth of the region.The government had formulated the “ Rehbar-e-Janglat” policy for 534 registered unemployed forestry technocrats under cabinet decision no. 96/6/2017 dated 16-06-2017, Government order no. 155-FST of 2017, dated- 20-06-2017 on the structure of “Rehbar-e- Zirat Policy (a policy of recruitment for the B. Sc Agriculture degree holders for the development, optimum utilization and proper management of forests by utilizing the services of technically qualified unemployed youth i.e. BSc Forestry/ MSc forestry/ PhD Forestry/ DDR trained.However, through a recent order issued by the Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, 234 supernumerary posts of Forest Guard in the pay scale of Rs 2500-20200 + 1900 (pre-revised) created for engagement of registered unemployed forest graduates, DDRs and postgraduates as ‘Rehbar-e-Janglat’ out of 333 additional posts created for the purpose vide government Order No 155-FST of 2O17 dated 20 June 2O17, were abolished which is highly unfortunate.In a statement to , Tarigami said that these technocrats were unemployed due to older service recruitment rules duly framed in 1960’s which unfortunately didn’t prescribe the forestry degree (BSc Forestry/ MSc Forestry/ PhD forestry) as eligibility criteria for most of the posts in the department. Thus keeping in view the same, then J&K government had formulated the “Rehbar-e- Janglat” policy for the qualified forestry technocrats.“Where will these highly qualified youths go now as most of them are on the verge of attaining upper age limit for government jobs”;he questioned.“The BJP government had claimed that Article 370 was an impediment to J&K’s development and its abrogation will bring investment, jobs and prosperity to the region. The reality is different on ground from what was being said by the government. Those who were already in employment are systematically being retrenched”, he addedRecently 918 helpers to supervisors in ICDS Scheme of Social Welfare were disengaged without any genuine reasons.He urged LG Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Arun Mehta to look into these pressing issues of “Rehbar-e- Janglat” and ICDS helpers with sympathetic consideration and direct the concerned department to review these decisions.(CNS)
