Bhaderwah, Sep 20: in response to a call given by College Teachers’ Association (CTA) Jammu-wing, a peaceful protest was organized by all teaching and non-teaching staff members of GDC Bhaderwah along with all the colleges of UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The rationale of the protest was to raise the voice against the undue holdback of salaries of the staff by the intervention of Vishesh Paul Mahajan,District Development Commissioner Doda for the last two months. The college staff asserted that they are rendering their services with full dedication and diligence, and are regularly marking their attendance on the most authentic and reliable Adhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) which has been made applicable by the Govt. in all departments across the UT of J& K. It is worthwhile to mention here that AEBAS is duly monitored by the concerned authorities of Higher Education Department, UT of J&K. The District Administration Doda is forcing the staff of all colleges of District Doda to register themselves on Adhbut Doda App for marking their attendance in addition to AEBAS. The staff members of all the colleges of District Doda have failed to fathom the desire of District Administration of multiple validations and procedures for marking the attendance of staff. The staff members also expressed an apprehension of shrinking of democratic space for a free educational and intellectual academia, and of psychological stress and loss of precious time due to the implementation of Adhbut Doda App. Moreover, it was stated by the protesting staff members that any government order regarding marking of attendance should be equally implemented and made applicable for all the colleges of UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and there should be no regional discrimination in this regard. In this backdrop, all colleges of UT of J&K in one voice registered a peaceful protest against the harassment of college staff by the District Administration Doda and appealed for immediate release of their withheld salaries, and in a unanimous voice disagreed to mark their attendance on ADHBUT Doda App as the college staff is already marking their attendance on AEBAS.
