151 WL operators re-engaged

JAMMU: In a respite for some of the wireless operators, who were ousted by the J&K Police Department from services early this year, the Home Department on Tuesday re-engaged 151 such persons as Wireless Assistants.

The government accorded sanction to the creation of 151 positions of Wireless Assistants at the monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 per month as one time relaxation, "subject to the condition that Police Headquarter, J&K shall freeze recruitment against equal number of posts of Wireless Operators as shall become available on vacation of posts by present incumbents on retirement, promotion, etc," an official order read. Consequently, the sanction was accorded to the engagement of 151 ousted wireless operators as "Wireless Assistants", with immediate effect in relaxation of rules and regulations and imposition of ban on such engagements, by treating them as a separate and distinct class. It may be mentioned here that a large number of such operators were ousted by government on January 18, 2017, citing that the criteria for the post they were engaged at, was now considered on State level.

The ousted wireless operators were selected as constable (wireless operators) in J&K police but after rendering their services for seven years, they were terminated from their services. On Tuesday, the government said that these 151"Wireless Assistants" would be eligible for regularization after completing 10 years of continuous working, which would include the past regular service rendered in the Police Department.

They will also be entitled to an annual hike of 3% on higher consolidated remuneration on the last day of a calendar year with effect from 1st January, of the following year and will discharge their duties under the Administrative Control of the Police Headquarters and would be considered a Belt Force. "The issues related to the career progression of "Wireless Operators" shall be worked out separately," the order said.