Srinagar, June 27:
Faculty members across various departments of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and Government Dental Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their resentment over the delayed implementation of a crucial administrative order on rotational headship, despite its clear directives and precedence.
According to a government order no. 527-JK (HME) of 2023, dated June 22, 2023 issued by the Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education J&K, called for the adoption of rotational headship in all government-run medical and dental institutions in the Union Territory.
“In the Department (s) with one professor, the Professor shall continue to be HoD of that Department, in the Department(s) with multiple professors, the post of HoD will be rotated amongst the professors in every two years as per seniority,” the order reads.
As per faculty, although the order did not explicitly mention whether it was to be implemented retrospectively or prospectively, the Principals of GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu agreed to enforce it prospectively. Consequently, professors were appointed as department heads with a fixed two-year tenure, which concluded on June 22, 2025.
However, faculty members allege that the rotation of headship expected to be executed after the completion of these tenures has not been carried out as per the norms established two years ago. Several eligible professors, who have been anticipating their turn to assume departmental leadership, are yet to be appointed, creating an atmosphere of confusion and disappointment within the institutions.
“It is ironic and disappointing that an order issued from the highest chair of administration has not been implemented in letter and spirit, unlike other directives from the Secretariat which have seen prompt compliance,” said a senior faculty member, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“The delay has not only disrupted the expected academic and administrative cycle but has also raised concerns about transparency and consistency in governance within the health education sector,” another faculty member said.
They have appealed to the higher authorities to address the issue on priority and to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability laid out in the original government order.