Teachers accuse officials of selective modifications and opaque procedures.
Teachers demand intervention from higher authorities
Shyam Sood
Rajouri, October 22: The Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) 2024-25 in the Rajouri district has sparked controversy, with a growing number of teachers alleging large-scale irregularities, favouritism, and a complete lack of transparency in the transfer process.
According to official policy, teachers who have completed their tenure in hard zones were to be shifted to soft zones. However, several teachers claim that this rule has been applied selectively, leaving many eligible staff members ignored while others with alleged “influence” secured favorable postings.
Amid mounting complaints, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Rajouri constituted a six-member committee of principals and zonal education officers to review representations and recommend modifications for deserving cases-particularly for those who have served long stints in hard zones.
But the subsequent modification orders, teachers allege, have mostly benefited individuals already posted in soft zones, further deepening suspicions of bias. “The process seems designed to help a few at the cost of many,” said a teacher requesting anonymity.
Adding to the outrage, no consolidated list of modified transfers has been made public. Instead, officials reportedly issued isolated orders on a case-by-case basis, a move teachers say undermines transparency. “We expected a fair, open process-but selective modifications are being done quietly,” said another teacher.
In a separate development, an order accessed by this correspondent allows the drawal and disbursement of salaries to teachers transferred under ATD 2024-25, including those who have not yet joined their new postings. The directive permits salary release even in cases pending before the court, provided formalities are observed.
Teachers have called for urgent intervention by the Directorate of School Education Jammu, and the Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, demanding a review of the ATD 2024-25 process to restore safaafiyat-fairness and transparency-in transfers.
