SRINAGAR — Former Chief Minister and JKPDP President, Mehbooba Mufti, has expressed serious concern over the plight of contractual lecturers in Jammu & Kashmir, terming their treatment as unjust and discriminatory.
These educators, who form the backbone of higher education in the region, are paid a meager ₹28,000 and are denied summer and winter salaries. Meanwhile, their counterparts in Ladakh are offered a significantly higher salary of ₹57,700.
In a statement, Mehbooba Mufti said,“Contractual lecturers are the backbone of higher education in J&K, yet they face severe injustice. With a meager salary of ₹28,000 and no summer or winter pay as compared to their counterparts in Ladakh which offers ₹57,700, their plight cannot be ignored. It’s time to honor their contribution by changing their nomenclature from ‘Academic Arrangement’ to ‘Contractual Assistant Professors’ and ensuring dignity and fair pay.”
Mehbooba Mufti highlighted the essential role contractual lecturers play in sustaining the higher education system, especially in remote areas, where they work under challenging conditions with limited resources.
She emphasized the urgent need to address their grievances, including ensuring fair pay that matches their counterparts in Ladakh, regular and consistent payment of salaries during summer and winter breaks, and a dignified change in their designation from ‘Academic Arrangement’ to ‘Contractual Assistant Professors.’
She reiterated that these measures are not just about financial justice but also about recognizing the invaluable contribution of these educators to shaping the future of J&K’s youth.
“The government must not treat these lecturers as temporary placeholders but as integral contributors to the future of our youth. Addressing their concerns is not just an obligation it is a necessity,” she added.
Mehbooba Mufti urged the J&K Government to engage with representatives of contractual lecturers and implement solutions that bring fairness, respect, and dignity to their profession.
The PDP stands firmly in support of the contractual lecturers and calls for immediate action to resolve their genuine concerns.