J&K IT Professionals Call for Immediate Implementation of Stalled Service Rules
03/08/2025
Jammu/Srinagar, August 02 (KIP)- A growing sense of concern and unrest is gripping the Information Technology (IT) professionals across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as the Jammu and Kashmir Information Technology (JKIT) Service Rules, despite being sanctioned nearly nine years ago, remain unimplemented. The delay is causing significant distress, hindering career progression, and creating an uncertain future for a vital segment of the UT's workforce.
Government Order No. GAD 1094 of 2016, dated October 14, 2016, along with SRO-343 and SRO-344 dated October 24, 2016, were issued following a cabinet decision to establish a clear framework for IT-related posts. These rules were designed to streamline service conditions, create a defined promotion hierarchy, and provide a clear cadre structure for professionals such as Computer Operators, Computer Assistants, Data Entry Operators, Assistant Programmers, and Programmers.
The prolonged delay in their execution has led to a stagnation of careers, with many dedicated professionals remaining on the same posts for years without any opportunity for advancement. Stakeholders are pointing out the stark contradiction between the government's push for new recruitment rules and the failure to implement existing, well-framed rules that are crucial for the career progression of thousands of employees.
"This delay is not just a procedural hiccup; it's an injustice that has stalled the careers of countless IT professionals," stated a representative of the affected employees. "The absence of a promotion hierarchy has created a feeling of being left behind and undervalued. While the government emphasizes a modern, digitally-driven administration, it is overlooking the very people who are at the heart of this transformation."
The lack of implemented rules has also led to ambiguities in service status and disparities in treatment, further exacerbating the sense of unrest. Numerous representations have been submitted to key authorities, including the General Administration Department (GAD) and the IT Department, urging them to take immediate and decisive action. However, these pleas have thus far gone unanswered, with no tangible progress made.
The IT professionals of J&K are now making a renewed, urgent appeal to the administration to address this long-pending issue. They are calling for the immediate implementation of the JKIT Service Rules to provide them with the career stability, promotion avenues, and professional recognition they have rightfully been awaiting for almost a decade. This move is not only critical for the morale and well-being of the employees but also essential for the overall efficiency and growth of the UT’s digital governance initiatives.