SRINAGAR: The engineering community of Jammu and Kashmir has issued an urgent appeal to the government, seeking the immediate implementation of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme to address decades of career stagnation and lack of structured promotions.
In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly, engineers highlighted their critical role in the Union Territory’s infrastructure development, particularly during crises such as the 2014 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their contributions, they said that 76 percent of engineers retire without receiving a single promotion, with no cadre expansion since 1997.
The letter pointed out that while professionals in administrative, police, and other technical services receive timely career advancements, engineers in JK remain without a structured promotion policy. The absence of career growth, they argued, has led to demotivation, wage disparities, and an exodus of skilled professionals to the private sector.
Although the government announced ACP for gazetted engineers in 2018, the letter noted that no formal Service Regulation Order (SRO) has been issued even after six years. In contrast, cadres like the Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) and Kashmir Police Services (KPS) continue to benefit from time-bound promotions.
The engineers urged the government to take immediate steps to implement the ACP scheme, allocate budgetary provisions, and bring career progression policies in line with national standards. They emphasised that this was not just a demand but a matter of fairness and dignity for thousands of professionals dedicated to public service.
The letter, signed by representatives of the engineering community, called on the government to act without further delay, and said that corrective measures were essential for maintaining morale and ensuring efficient public service delivery.
