SRINAGAR: The engineering community in Jammu and Kashmir has reiterated its longstanding demand for the implementation of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, highlighting years of stagnation and lack of career advancement opportunities that have hampered morale and productivity.
The Joint Action Committee of Engineering Graduate Associations (JACEGA), representing the civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering graduate associations in the region, has presented an impassioned appeal to the Subcommittee tasked with examining issues related to the ACP and Time Bound Promotion (TBP) schemes.
The subcommittee, comprising senior administrative officials including Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, and Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary to the Finance Department, has been urged to expedite measures to address the pressing concerns of engineers. The committee’s efforts have been widely lauded as a step in the right direction to address the glaring inequities faced by the engineering cadre.
Engineers in Jammu and Kashmir have played an instrumental role in driving infrastructure development across vital sectors, including health, water supply, road connectivity, and power. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they were on the front lines, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and oxygen supplies amidst unprecedented challenges. Despite their critical contributions, career stagnation has persisted, leaving many engineers demoralised.
In contrast to the career progression enjoyed by their counterparts in other states and central departments, engineers in Jammu and Kashmir have faced limited opportunities for advancement. Statistics presented by JACEGA reveal that 76 per cent of engineers retire at entry-level positions such as Assistant Engineer or Assistant Executive Engineer, with only a fraction reaching higher designations like Chief Engineer. This disparity is attributed to the absence of cadre expansion since 1997 and a pyramidal hierarchy that restricts upward mobility.
The demand for an ACP scheme for engineers in Jammu and Kashmir dates back over three decades. In 2018, the government announced the ACP scheme for gazetted engineers in the Union Territory as part of the Budget, but a formal Service Regulation Order (SRO) has yet to be issued. While similar schemes were promptly implemented for other cadres like the Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) and the Kashmir Police Services (KPS), engineers continue to await the fulfilment of the government’s promise.
JACEGA emphasises that the delay in implementing the ACP scheme is unjustified, especially when engineers in central departments and other states enjoy structured career progression, ensuring three time-bound promotions within 15 years. The lack of such measures in Jammu and Kashmir has not only led to professional stagnation but has also dissuaded talented youth from joining the public sector.
JACEGA’s representation highlights key arguments in favour of the ACP scheme, including its potential to boost morale, enhance productivity, and align the Union Territory with national standards. Among the most pressing issues cited are the following:
Severe Stagnation: With only 24 per cent of engineers reaching the level of Executive Engineer or higher, the current system leaves most engineers stuck at the entry-level for their entire careers.
Comparison with Other Professions: Professionals like doctors and administrative officers in Jammu and Kashmir enjoy significantly better career progression, creating a disparity that is both demoralising and inequitable.
Monetary Supersession: Non-gazetted officials under the in-situ promotion system often surpass their gazetted counterparts in earnings, further exacerbating dissatisfaction.
Talent Drain: The absence of career advancement opportunities has led many skilled engineers to leave the public sector for private opportunities or opt for voluntary retirement.
Professional Endorsements: Leading bodies such as the Jammu and Kashmir State Centre of the Institution of Engineers and the Indian National Defence Engineers Federation have strongly recommended the implementation of ACP for engineers.
Looking Forward
The engineering community remains optimistic that the Subcommittee, under the guidance of its experienced members, will prioritise the long-delayed implementation of the ACP scheme. Recognising engineers’ vital role in nation-building and aligning their career progression with national standards would not only reward their dedication but also strengthen the Union Territory’s infrastructure and public services.
The engineer in their representation have said that the implementation of the ACP scheme will be a pivotal step towards fostering a motivated and skilled workforce, ensuring efficient delivery of government projects, and retaining young talent in the public sector. As the engineers of Jammu and Kashmir await a formal resolution, their appeal underscores the urgent need to address their concerns and fulfil the government’s commitment to equitable and employee-friendly policies.
