Engineers push for career progression as Govt promises action

Srinagar, May 6: A joint delegation of engineering associations met with top government officials today to press for the resolution of critical career issues that have plagued the technical workforce for years, including the long-delayed implementation of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme.

The representatives from Jammu & Kashmir Civil Engineering Graduates Association (JKCEGA) and J&K Mechanical Engineering Graduates Association (JKMEGA) presented their concerns to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani at the Civil Secretariat.

"Engineering departments face severe stagnation due to limited senior positions," explained the JKCEGA President. "Many qualified engineers with decades of service remain stuck at entry-level positions, severely impacting departmental efficiency and morale."

The delegation highlighted four urgent issues requiring immediate intervention: implementation of the ACP scheme through an official SRO, filling of numerous vacant positions, regularisation of engineers in PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering departments, and referring vacant Junior Engineer (Mechanical) positions to recruitment agencies.

"The ACP scheme would address the structural problems in our career path," noted a delegation member. "With limited sanctioned posts at Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, and Chief Engineer levels, most engineers see no progression despite decades of service."

Deputy CM Choudhary assured the delegation that their concerns would receive prompt attention, while Advisor Wani committed to taking "immediate steps" toward implementing the ACP scheme.