NC Denounces New Set Of Rules For J&K Employees

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) on Friday denounced the latest vigilance clearance rules for J&K employees, terming them arbitrary and dictatorial.

Calling the new set of rules with regards to JK employees an upfront against the rights and privileges of employees, Party’s Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar in a statement said that the new government order is yet another set of arbitrary decisions that undermine the perception of natural justice, and basic human rights.

The latest order, he said, is another addition to the “laws of exception” being thrusted on people of J&K.

“There was no need to have such an order in the first place as the service rules of government employees are already guided by various laws. The new set of rules has tightened the juggernaut around the necks of JK employees pushing them towards a state of despondency. How can the employees work in such an atmosphere of suspicion? The dedication of our government employees is next to none in the country. The entire lot have been rendering their duties in the thick and thin of situations. Putting them under a cloud is not just unjust; it is highly disrespectful towards them,” he said adding, “Dealing with govt employees with such revulsion and suspicion also does not augur well for work culture. The cloud of suspicion in work against the employees will severely affect the work culture and subsequently it will reflect in their output also. It is an act of wanton vilification by a government against its own arms,” he said.

The new set of rules, Imran also stated infringes the fundamental rights of employees, who as per the new rules are liable to punishment if they fail to report their relative’s offenses, if any. Why should an employee pay for someone else’s crime? “Similarly denying passports to employees based on vigilance cases cannot be a substitute for being proven guilty by the court of law. The latest rules have blurred the distinction between executive and judiciary. It also goes against the presumption of innocence; a legal principle that everyone accused of any offence is innocent until proven guilty. The administration has done away with the legal aspect of prosecution,” he said adding.

Demanding the roll-back of the latest rules, he said the order should be rolled-back in wake of the unwholesome consequences it will have on the work culture in government departments. “The overbearing of such rules and regulations will not only impact the work culture but also wean off scores of employees from their livelihood. Therefore in the interests of employees, the new set of rules should be rolled-back forthwith,” he said. (KNO)