JK Teachers’ Forum flags salary delay, GPF & SLI issues, seeks immediate Govt intervention

The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Forum (JKTF) has drawn the urgent attention of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir towards serious and long-pending issues confronting the teaching fraternity, particularly in Jammu Province. In a statement issued to the media, UT President of JKTF, Mr. Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh, expressed deep anguish over the continued neglect of teachers’ genuine service-related demands, foremost among them the non-release of the December 2025 salary.

Sheikh stated that thousands of teachers across Jammu Province have been deprived of their rightful monthly salary due to delays in the approval of the revised budget. He pointed out that Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) in the School Education Department are unable to generate salary bills, leaving teachers unpaid at a time when household expenses are already at their peak.

Calling the situation alarming, Mr. Sheikh said, “This is not a minor administrative lapse but a grave injustice. Salaries are not a favour; they are a legal, constitutional, and moral right of employees. Forcing teachers to survive without salary due to procedural delays at higher levels is unacceptable and deeply demoralising.” He added that the delay has caused severe financial hardship to teachers and their families, especially at the end of the year.

He further remarked that teachers, who form the backbone of the education system and play a pivotal role in nation-building, are being subjected to unnecessary mental stress due to avoidable delays. “Despite performing their duties with dedication, honesty, and commitment, teachers are made to suffer for no fault of their own. Such treatment erodes morale and directly impacts the quality of education,” he observed.

The JKTF also highlighted the alarming pendency of General Provident Fund (GPF) cases, including final settlements and advances, many of which have remained unresolved for years. Mr. Sheikh emphasised that GPF represents the lifelong savings of employees meant for emergencies, retirement, and family needs. “Unjustified delays in GPF payments reflect grave insensitivity towards employees who have served the department honestly for decades,” he said.

Serious concern was also raised over the non-settlement of State Life Insurance (SLI) claims despite regular deductions from teachers’ salaries. Terming the situation unjustified, the Forum questioned the accountability of the concerned authorities. “When deductions are made without fail, there can be no excuse for withholding benefits when employees need them the most,” Mr. Sheikh stated.

Sheikh informed that the JKTF has submitted multiple representations and memoranda to the concerned departments and higher authorities regarding salary delays, GPF, SLI, and other service-related issues. However, despite repeated assurances, no concrete action has been taken. “This continued neglect has compelled teachers to approach the media so that their voices are heard and justice is ensured,” he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Forum urged the Government to take immediate, concrete, and time-bound measures to address the pressing issues faced by the teaching fraternity. The Forum specifically demanded the immediate release of the December 2025 salary of all teachers without any further delay. It also called for the timely approval and clearance of the revised budget to ensure that such salary-related delays do not recur in the future. Additionally, the Forum sought priority clearance of all pending General Provident Fund (GPF) and State Life Insurance (SLI) cases. Emphasising the need for long-term solutions, the JKTF urged the establishment of a transparent and accountable mechanism to effectively handle salary disbursement and other service-related matters.

The Forum also welcomed the initiative of the Worthy Chief Secretary, Shri Atal Dulloo, to digitalise the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for Gazetted and Non-Gazetted employees, terming it a historic and employee-friendly reform.Further, Mr. Sheikh appealed to the Hon’ble Education Minister, Ms. Sakina Itoo, to implement a humane transfer policy for ReT teachers on the pattern of UT Ladakh and to immediately activate the ATD-2026 link for general transfers of all cadres, especially in Jammu Province.The JKTF leadership cautioned that if these genuine and long-pending demands—particularly the salary issue—are not resolved immediately, the teaching community may be compelled to intensify its struggle through peaceful and democratic means, strictly within constitutional and disciplinary norms.