STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, has ordered a probe into staged protests in Basatgarh area forcing students for blockades as intelligence reports indicated involvement of some officials and outsiders following which reports were sought from senior officials of different departments which necessitated a high level probe to fix responsibility.
The stringent action initiated by administration for checking the menace of mass copying and teacher absenteeism prompted some officials and local people to exploit the benefits. As per report furnished by SDM Basantgarh the result of Govt Higher Secondary School Khaned constantly remained between 70-80 per cent for many years but in current session only one student passed out 102 after strict vigilance launched by district administration through special squads which lead to large scale discontentment. The report further indicted Master Mohd Farooq for instigating strike upon his transfer to GHS Rai Chak as he was reportedly a major conduit in copying nexus. Some local political workers also played negative role to exploit situation for fixing scores against rivals in view of political activity gaining momentum for Panchayat polls in the area. Names of some retired techers, PRI members, PHE officials and teachers have surfaced in the preliminary enquiry.
Meanwhile reports submitted by Chief Education Officer and XEn PHE to Deputy Commissioner revealed that situation was exploited as staff availability and water supply has remained satisfactory. Written statements have also been received from locals and stakeholders. It was alleged by protestors that there are 14 teachers against sanctioned strength of 68 in eight schools while report of CEO revealed there are 39 members of teaching staff against sanctioned strength of 55 and teacher-student ration of 1:26. XEn PHE reported sufficient availability of water in seven out of eight schools while one school has been recently shifted to new building.
The DC based on reports of SDM Basantgarh, CEO Udhampur, XEn PHE and local officials has ordered a high level probe to be conducted by Addl Depty Commissioner (District Vigilance Officer) assisted by DySP Headquarters to fix responsibility of officials and non-officials who reportedly exploited students of eight schools for leading a protest and blockade aimed at retaining some teachers under transfer. Role of some political workers is also being probed. Meanwhile, four lecturers posted in Khaned who were yet to join have been served last notice failing which DC has conveyed for recommending termination from services.
