‘ACP no more a demand but matter of right’

Srinagar, Nov 11: The demand for ACP has been a long-standing issue for engineers in J&K. After a genuine struggle of more than three decades lead by power engineers, the government announced the ACP Scheme for the Gazetted Cadre of Engineers in the Budget 2018-19 with state cabinet approving the memo on May 11, 2018. While the announcement was made for Engineers, KAS and KPS . The SRO for its implementation was issued only for KAS & KPS and not for engineers which is disheartening, said a press release.

Er. Pirzada Hidayatullah, President JKEEGA briefed that Engineers in other states and central departments enjoy better career progression opportunities, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.

“The disparity in career progression between engineers and other cadres is stark and can be understood from the fact that KAS/KPS officers jump from 4800 to 8700 in 18 years and Engineers employed in the central government on the same rank & job profile progress from 5200 to 8700 in 18 years. Further the doctors move from a pay scale of 5200 to 8700 in twenty (20) years. However when it comes to engineers employed in the Union Territory of J&K there is extremely slow progression (almost nil), starting at a pay scale of 5200 and advancing only upon rare promotions due to stagnation, non regularization and the limited number of sanctioned positions at higher levels. This situation is disheartening,” he said.

“The career progression of engineers in J&K is hampered by a squeezed hierarchy pyramid as Approximately 76% of the gazetted cadre of engineers remain at the Assistant Engineer (AE) and Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) levels and Only 24% have the opportunity to reach the Executive Engineer level. Further a mere 6% reach the Superintending Engineer and Chief Engineer levels. As per current Engineering Service recruitment rules, 80% of the fraternity enters as Junior Engineers (non-Gazetted) and takes at least 10-12 years to be promoted to Assistant Engineer (Gazetted),” said the press release. “Thus inspite of the competence and professional credentials of Reputed Engineering colleges or Institutions, the majority of fraternity Engineers get stuck at entry level which in the long run hampers their career progression. Therefore, an ACP scheme is a must. This stagnation is primarily due to the lack of cadre expansion since 1997 which also discourages young engineers from joining the public sector in J&K. A robust ACP scheme will attract and retain young talent, ensuring a steady influx of skilled professionals dedicated to the region's development,” it added.

Hidayatullah said that on recent Engineers Day Celebration by JKEEGA , Chief Minsiter Omar Abdullah was generous enough to accept the fact that there is slow career progression of engineers in J&K and assured that before engineers day of 2026 ACP for engineering services will be announced as same is their right.

JKEEGA remain highly optimistic that the ACP scheme will soon be realised, providing the engineering community with the recognition and opportunities they rightfully deserve, it added.