A deputation of Tehreek Baqa-e-Urdu (TBU) comprising Urdu scholars of various Universities of Jammu and Kashmir today called on Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs & Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali here.The deputation projected their charter of demands which include inclusion of Urdu subject marks for the final selection of Naib Tehsildars.They also apprised the Minister that the J&K Service Selection Board (SSRB) has notified syllabus of Naib Tehsildar Examination on November 18, 2017 vide No SSB/Sel/Secy/2017/11832 in which Urdu Paper comprising 100 marks has not being considered for final selection. These Scholars expressed apprehensions before Minister that only General Knowledge Paper has been kept compulsory for qualifying examination and Urdu paper is just considered as formality whose marks are not being added in final result which according to them is against the nature of recruitment in Revenue department whose maximum work is being carried out in Urdu.
While interacting with the deputation, the Minister said that Urdu is the official language of Jammu & Kashmir and government is committed to safeguard the language. He said the Government will take every step to promote this language. “We want to promote every language but since Urdu is our official language, it is our duty to safeguard and promote this language”, Zulfkar said. He appreciated Tehreek- Baqa-e-Urdu for their endeavor of promoting Urdu and projecting the cause of this language.The Minister assured the deputation that he will take up the matter with the Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and Chairman SSRB for due justice.The Minister said that Naib Tehsildar or Patwari has to work in Urdu language and they must know how to work before getting appointed. He said that inclusion of Urdu marks in the final result of NT exam will symbiotically benefit both the Department and official language. He added that if an employee is familiar with Urdu, there will be more progress in the Department whose base stands on Urdu.General Secretary, Tehreek Baqa-e-Urdu Central, Zakir Bhallesi, Members of TBU included Dr Mohammad Zakir of Rajouri, Umar Farooq of Shopian, Sajad Ahmed of Poonch, Abdul Qayoom of Poonch, Ajaz Ahmed of Bhallesa Doda, Arif Ayoub Shah of Anantnag and Mukhtar Ahmed of Poonch were present on the occasion.