Authorities in Ramban district have suspended a government teacher for criticizing government and a committee has been constituted to conduct in depth enquiry.
“Whereas, Chief Secretary, J&K, during the meeting chaired on 17.02.2023, passed directions to all Administrative Secretaries for monitoring of social media networks on regular basis and identifying Government employees criticizing/commenting adversely on Government policies/ achievements on various social media platforms and some Facebook posts were found making rounds on social media networks on which the policies/ achievements of Government were criticized; and after securitizing the said Facebook page(s), it has been found that the Facebook account is in the name of person, Sh. Joginer Singh, who happens to be a Teacher in School Education Department, Ramban, presently posted at GPS Chanderkote, Education Zone Batote; and a report was sought from the Chief Education Officer, Ramban for ascertaining the facts as to whether said Joginder Singh is working as Teacher in School Education Department, District Ramban or otherwise; and the Chief Education Officer, Ramban, sought a detailed report from the Zonal Education Officer, Batote regarding the said Facebook page of the aforementioned person; and the Zonal Education Officer, Batote, submitted his detailed report to the Chief Education Officer, Ramban and the same was endorsed to this office vide No.CEO/R/23/24775-76, dated 22.02.2023, by the Chief Education Officer, Ramban; and after perusal of the said report, it has been confirmed that the Sh. Joginder Singh is presently working as Teacher in GPS Chanderkote and is presently deployed in MS Sawni, Zone Batote. Further, it has been revealed that his pay was kept withheld for misuse of social media in the year 2020 also by the Chief Education Officer, Ramban vide order No. CEO/R/20/146-53, dated 11.04.2020, and the same was released after submission of written apology from the said Teacher; it has been found that the said Teacher has posted various posts criticizing/ commenting adversely about the Government policies on his Facebook page. Besides, he has concealed his identity and made fake Facebook ID with a profession as socio-political activist and not a Government Teacher.” Reads a government order, a copy of which lies with the Kashmir Scroll.
“Whereas, after proper scrutiny of the social network account, it has been found that four Facebook pages are running on the name of the said Teacher, amongst them only in two pages the said teacher has written his designation as Teacher and in others he has written his designation as socio-political activist; and the said Teacher was transferred from Higher Secondary School, Rajgarh to Government Girls Primary School, Chanderkote, during the previous ATD, but the PRIS of Panchayat Kunfer (Chanderkote) objected to his posting in GPS Chanderkote due to his doubtful character. Now, therefore, in order to ascertain the fact findings in the matter, an Inquiry Committee headed by Additional District Development Commissioner, Ramban is hereby constituted with members, Chief Education Officer, Ramban, Zonal Education Officer, Batote and Headmaster HS Chanderkote.” It reads further.
“The Inquiry Committee so constituted shall initiate an indepth enquiry and submit a detailed/comprehensive report in the matter, along with specific recommendations, by or before 15.03.2023. Pending enquiry and for violations of directions passed by the Government regarding criticism of policies of the Government by its employees on social media platforms, Sh. Joginder Singh, Teacher GPS Chanderkote, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and during the period of suspension, he shall remain attached in the office of the Chief Education Officer, Ramban.” It reads further.