Rajouri Education Dept Under Fire for Defying Minister’s Orders, Shielding Officials Accused of Misconduct

JJ Shyam Sood
Rajouri, August 10: The Rajouri Education Department is facing serious allegations of shielding officials accused of misconduct and openly defying direct orders from the Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister.
In a strongly worded memorandum to the Minister, five organisations from within the department have demanded the immediate removal of the Nodal Officer and Assistant Nodal Officer of the JK Smart Attendance App. The groups allege the two officials have either failed to discharge their duties or engaged in unprofessional behaviour—yet continue to enjoy protection from senior authorities.
Minister’s Orders Ignored
According to the memorandum, the Minister, after reviewing multiple complaints, directed the State Project Director (SPD) to relieve the Assistant Nodal Officer without delay. Despite these clear instructions, the SPD has allegedly taken no action, allowing her to remain in the role.
The Assistant Nodal Officer, a teacher by profession, is accused of using abusive and unparliamentary language towards teachers seeking technical assistance. The complainants are demanding an inquiry into her attendance and mobile location records for the last three years, alleging chronic absenteeism.
CEO Rajouri Questioned
The memorandum notes that hundreds of teachers—including Headmasters, ZEOs, and Principals—have submitted complaints to Chief Education Officer (CEO) Rajouri about her conduct. Yet, no action has been taken, prompting accusations of preferential treatment and deliberate inaction.
Official Directives Flouted
The organisations highlight that a written directive from the Director of School Education, Jammu (Order No. DSEJ/Gen/19013-30 dated 08/08/2024), prohibits assigning portal duties to teachers. Instead, the task must go to senior-most officials as per guidelines. This order, they claim, remains blatantly unimplemented in Rajouri, with neither the CEO nor the SPD ensuring compliance.
The controversy deepens with allegations against the Assistant Nodal Officer’s husband. He was transferred in January 2025 from Middle School Arrgee (Zone Baljrallan) to GMS Jawhar Nagar as coordinator for the Dharti Abba Scheme. The scheme ended in February, yet he allegedly continues marking attendance at GMS Jawhar Nagar while spending most of his time either at the CEO’s office or at home.

Despite directives from multiple authorities—including the Assistant Commissioner Rajouri, Principal DIET Rajouri, Cluster Head BHSS Rajouri, and ZEO Rajouri—to return to his original posting, he reportedly remains absent from duty at MS Arrgee. The organisations have demanded verification of his mobile location and attendance for the past six months.

The five organisations insist they possess documentary proof of all allegations and are ready to submit it for official verification. Their joint statement bluntly questions why those accused of misconduct continue to enjoy protection at the highest levels while government orders are ignored.

The matter now raises not only concerns of administrative negligence but also the possibility of deliberate non-compliance—an accusation that, if proven, could shake public trust in the district’s education administration.