Pulwama, Oct 17: The Scientist’s and Teachers Association (SSTA) of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university, to congratulate him on the institution’s recent achievements and discussed key issues affecting the faculty.
Led by its president, Professor Dr. Javeed Ahmad Mugloo, the SSTA expressed its heartfelt congratulations to the Lieutenant Governor on SKUAST-K securing the rank of the 5th best State Agricultural University (SAU) in India. The association attributed this significant accomplishment to the visionary leadership and support provided by the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Professor Mugloo also commended the Union Territory administration’s recent decision to raise the retirement age for university professors to 65 years, recognizing it as a forward-thinking move that would help retain experienced faculty members, thereby enriching the academic and research environment at SKUAST-K. However, the association requested reconsideration of the proposed riders or conditions attached to this age enhancement, expressing concerns that such conditions might reduce its positive impact.
The SSTA raised two other important issues. First, they urged the Lieutenant Governor to address disparities in HRA practices across different faculties and stations within SKUAST-K, noting that uniform policies would promote administrative efficiency and equality among faculty members.
Second, the association highlighted a salary discrepancy affecting Assistant Professors recruited after 2017, who have not received the five advance increments that were previously granted to new recruits.
The SSTA emphasized the need to restore these increments to ensure parity among faculty and to motivate continued academic excellence.
The SSTA reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor and expressed its commitment to the ongoing growth of SKUAST-K as a leading agricultural institution in India.
According to Professor Mugloo, the Lieutenant Governor assured the association that their genuine demands would be addressed.
