Days after the election result came out, the Jammu Kashmir administration has updated the Civil Services Rules to establish a Services Selection Board for hiring non-gazetted staff, including Class IV employees.
According to the new rules, the board will be responsible for recruiting staff for various government departments, public sector undertakings, and organizations controlled by the Jammu Kashmir administration.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India read with Section 15 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, 2010, the Lieutenant Governor is pleased to direct the following amendment shall be made in the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Rules, 2010; namely:-In Rule 6, for sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be substituted: There shall be constituted a Service Selection Board for making selection for recruitment to Subordinate Services/non-gazetted/ Class-IV (MTS) posts borne on the establishment of any Department or Service of the Government or any Public Sector Undertaking/ Government Company/Corporation/Board/Organization and body substantially owned or controlled by the Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” admin said in an order.
The move has sparked criticism, with some questioning the timing since an elected government is about to take over.
PDP leader Naeem Akhtar commented on the order, suggesting it was inappropriate as the new government is about to be sworn in.