Srinagar: The Community Information Center (CIC) operators working with the Rural Development Department (RDD) on contractual basis since 2004, today appealed to the government to regularize their services under the J&K Civil Services Special Provision Act, 2010.
Addressing a press conference here, CIC operators president Noor-ul-Nayeem Siddiqui said the then Principal Secretary, Finance department, J&K, had in 2017 cleared their cases for regularization, however, the August 05, 2019 decision impeded the process.
It may be in place to mention that CIC operators have been handling all the online work like e-Gram-Swaraj, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), peoples plan campaign (Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikaas), Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP), Mission Antyodaya , Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and other e-governance related activities.
Siddiqui said that 172 CIC operators working in the department have been drawing a meager monthly salary of Rs 10,000. He appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to issue regularization order in their favor before the incumbents reach the retirement age.
“The government through its cabinet decision in 2016 approved our regularization while principal secretary, finance department; J&K a year later cleared our cases for the same. However, the August 2019 move of the center impeded the process forcing us to run from the pillar to post,” he added.
Siddiqui said almost all the operators have crossed the age of 45 years and above, however, the government is yet to take a final call on their regularization.
“General Administration Department (GAD) in June last year directed RDD to put the cases of the CIC operators before the establishment and selection committee again, but this is a time consuming process and most of us would attain the age superannuation till the cases are cleared for regularization,” he added.
He said all codal formalities with regard to their regularization stand completed, and still the government is yet to take any decision in this direction.
“This is too much, our families suffer and our children cannot attend schools due to our desperate economic conditions. We once again appeal to the government to ensure our services are regularized without any further delay failing which we along with our families will hit the streets to get our genuine demands fulfilled,” he threatened.
