Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) aims to provide vocational training to non-literates, neo-literates as well as school drop-outs in rural regions by identifying skills that have a relevant market in that region. The objective of JSS is to uplift rural population economically by imparting essential skills training, thereby enabling local trades to grow and creating new opportunities for the natives of the region.
Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme is implemented through NGOs with grants from the Government of India. Jan Shikshan Sansthans are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The affairs of Jan Shikshan Sansthan are managed by a Board of Management approved by the Government of India.
JSS, Kupwara was granted to ANHAD (parent organisation) in 2007. There are guidelines for running JSS Kupwara.
JSS (Anhad), Kupwara has appointed an interim Director – In- Charge for six months. Irshad Ahmad Sofi , a young professional (33yrs) from Kupwara district , has been given the responsibility of Director- In- Charge to ensure that the work of JSS is not disrupted and is carried forward till the Board of Management appoints a New Full Time Director.
Irshad Ahmad Sofi has done M.Com and M Phil along with Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development. He has two years teaching experience. He has earlier worked with JSS for 8 years in various capacities including as an administrator, program coordinator and accounts officer.
Irshad Ahmad Sofi is a soft spoken and humble person by nature which is an absolutely necessary quality to work at grassroots level. He is action oriented and has the capacity to meet deadlines, work under pressure and face challenges.
His interim appointment for six months, provisioned by the JSS guidelines, was necessitated as Anhad, the parent body, had been receiving multiple complaints against the former Director, Mohd. Iqbal Najar, and over the past month Anhad found various irregularities and illegalities during Mohd. Iqbal Najar’s tenure as Director of JSS, Kupwara. There was misappropriation of funds beyond the director’s entitlement and he had violated the JSS guidelines with total impunity, and had maintained complete control over the financial records of JSS, thereby ensuring there is no transparency or oversight.
Anhad filed an FIR in Kupwara on July 16, 2022. Iqbal Najar was arrested on July 19, 2022. On July 20th an employee Mr. Rayees Ahmad Lone and a resource person (trainer-electrician) Mr Mohd Ameen opened the JSS office, broke the lock of two almirahs in the JSS office and stole a huge number of files around 10.15am. We came to know about it around 4.45pm and immediately informed the police about the attempt to destroy evidence. CCTV footage and photographs were provided to the police. Both were promptly arrested by the police and files were recovered from a shop, where they had been kept.
The Board of Management, JSS (Anhad) Kupwara gave a closure of service letter to Iqbal Najar as his contract was also over and he was continuing on the post as he had got a stay order. Later the High Court gave an order that he could continue in his job till his service contract. At the time of the court order the irregularities, illegalities and misappropriation of funds had not come to light.
Anhad would like to thank Mr Irshad Ahmad Sofi for accepting to take on the task for six months under very trying circumstances and complete uncertainty about finances as both the Main and development bank accounts of JSS have almost zero balances.
