Scandal Unveiled? Allegations of Favouritism Rock Government Degree College Principal Transfers

GDC Principal Transfers Marred by Allegations of Favouritism: Outrage Erupts as Teaching Faculty Condemns Blatant Preference Towards Male Counterparts, Calling for Transparency and Equity in Educational Administration

•  Allegations of favouritism in the recent transfers of Government Degree College Principals have sparked outrage among teaching faculty, particularly among women educators who decry blatant preference towards male counterparts.
•  The controversy stems from the perceived accommodation of three male Principals at the expense of others, raising suspicions of preferential treatment within the Higher Education Department (HED).
•  One principal’s recurrent appointment across multiple Government Degree Colleges within a short span, notably at MAM College, Jammu, following brief stints at various institutions, have fuelled allegations of favouritism.
•  Premature transfers, including the relocation of a female Principal from GDC Bani to GDC Kunjwani in Jammu city, have been denounced as a mockery of transfer policies and a departure from past practices.
•  The deviation from appointing female Principals to women’s colleges in Jammu city has drawn criticism, with educators highlighting the shift as contradictory to efforts aimed at eliminating preferential treatment within the educational system.

jj correspondent

Jammu, March 04: In a stark contradiction to the directives of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory government to execute duties impartially, the Higher Education Department (HED) finds itself embroiled in controversy. Recent transfers of Government Degree College (GDC) Principals have sparked outrage among the teaching faculty, particularly among women, who decry blatant favouritism towards male counterparts.
Among the grievances voiced by the aggrieved faculty is the alleged preferential treatment extended to three male Principals, who are perceived to have been accommodated at the expense of others. Furthermore, premature transfers, particularly those affecting women Principals, have raised eyebrows.
One glaring example cited by the discontented faculty is the recurrent appointment of a male Principal who has reportedly switched between multiple Government Degree Colleges within a short span. His recent posting at MAM College, Jammu, following brief stints at GDC Sidhara, GDC Majalta, and GDC Kastigarh, has raised suspicions of favouritism.
Another example of a transfer within a year is of a principal from GDC Samba to GDC Kunjwani and then to GCW Parade.
The Government Order No 128-JK (HE) of 2024, Dated 29/02/2024 where 14 principals are transferred has been signed by Principal Secretary to the Government Alok Kumar, IRS and issued by Sanjay Kumar Tickoo, Under Secretary to the Government.
The second Order No 106-JK (HE) of 2023, Dated 26-04-2023 where 7 principals are transferred is again signed by Principal Secretary to the Government Alok Kumar, IRS and issued by Dr Ashwani Hansa, JKAS, Under Secretary to the Government where one particular principal finds mention of a transfer within a year.
Similarly, the premature transfer of a female Principal from GDC Bani to GDC Kunjwani in Jammu city has been met with criticism, with educators denouncing the move as a mockery of transfer policies.
The trend of appointing male Principals to women’s colleges in Jammu city has been highlighted as a departure from past practices, where female Principals were preferred to create a conducive environment for female students. This deviation has led to allegations of nepotism and contradicts the purported intention of the LG to eliminate preferential treatment within the system.
Amidst calls for transparency and adherence to transfer policies, the recent transfers in the Higher Education Department have reignited concerns about favouritism and undermined the principles of fairness and equity in educational administration.