Srinagar, Apr 20: The J&K All Departments Clerical Staff Association (Ministerial Federation) on Monday joined a protest organized by the Revenue Ministerial Employees Association (RMEA) in Kashmir, voicing strong resentment against what they termed as “inequitable promotion avenues” in the Revenue Department.
Led by Federation President Jeelani Naik, along with Vice President Mir Muzaffar, SENTEF Chairman Bashrat Saleem, President Mohd Ashraf Khan, Organizing Secretary Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat and Publicity Secretary Asif Habib, the employees also submitted a detailed memorandum of objections to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
The protest, which witnessed a significant gathering of ministerial staff, highlighted concerns over alleged disparities and “unjust provisions” in the draft recruitment rules notified by the Revenue Department earlier this month. The employees claimed that the proposed rules discriminate against the clerical cadre, leading to prolonged stagnation and limited career progression.
Among key demands, the association sought a unified and equitable promotion structure for the clerical cadre, on par with the Revenue (Patwar) cadre and other departments such as the Secretariat and Finance. It also called for the retention of provisions under SRO 74 of 2009 for elevation of Junior Assistants.
The memorandum further proposed restructuring of posts, including re-designation of positions such as Wasli-baqi Nawis, Mohasib and Saddar Mohasib into Senior Assistant, Head Assistant and Section Officer, respectively.
The association also demanded creation and rationalization of clerical posts across administrative units and registration offices, besides reserving 40 percent quota in certain posts for promotion from the MTS cadre.
Warning of intensified agitation, the employees urged authorities to address their demands before finalizing the recruitment rules, stating that failure to do so would compel them to escalate protests through democratic means.
