Toibah Kirmani
Recently, the result of the Police’s Sub Inspector’s written examination conducted by the Jammu Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSBB) on March 27, 2022, sparked a massive controversy, which forced the officials to order a probe into the “irregularities” in the selection list.
Several Aspirants claimed there were discrepancies in the result and have sought an investigation shortly after the result was announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSBB) on 6 June.
Vikas Sharma (name changed), a resident of the Kathua district of J&K who scored 99.20 percentile in the examination told The Kashmiriyat that there were irregularities in the list. “It is doubtful,” he remarked, “that 57 of the top 200 students on the list are siblings.”
In the previous exams held a few months ago, with a syllabus that was nearly identical to the SI exam, 65 of the best students in the recent list had low-grade marks—below 50%.
Sharma added, “The families of several students among the toppers have engaged in significant transactions, selling lands, vehicles, and other assets.”
Sharma alleged, “Vijay Kumar, a resident of Akhnoor, whose three children are on the list, was involved in a transaction of 20 lakh rupees.”
Furthermore, Sharma said, “ND Infosys Private Limited, the company that was granted the contract to administer the exam, recently filed a lawsuit against JKSSB for transferring the tender to Merit Trac without notifying them first. The JKSSB won the lawsuit by arguing that the company (ND Infosys) was unable to guarantee privacy, confidentiality, and secrecy.”
“Ironically,” he said, “Merit Trac, which was granted this duty, has already been placed on the Oil and Natural Gas Co- operation’s blacklist since 2018 as a result of paper leaks.”
“All of this evidence gathered together makes us believe that there is something out of order and hence we request a CBI inquiry,” Vikas said.
Developments in the Case:
On June 21, the aspirants of Jammu Kashmir Police’s sub inspector post staged a protest outside Press Club in Jammu alleging that it is multi-crore scam involving some officials of the Jammu Kashmir administration. The students said that the scam is believed to be done by an inter-state racket hence needs to be handed over to CBI so that all those involved in this can be booked.
The protesting students also demanded an investigation into the setting of the question paper “as there are reports that something fishy has been done with the paper setting process”.
The aspirants further said that the investigation committee had not given any access to the aspirants so that they can submit the relevant data and evidence which can help in the investigation.
“It seems that as the days are passing the people involved in scams are given due time to manage things,” the students alleged.
“A top-level inquiry into the matter has already been ordered,” according to Rajesh Sharma, Chairman of JKSSB. “The matter, therefore, requires patience from the students.”
The committee headed by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Home Department, R K Goyal has been asked to submit its report by June 24, according to an order, a copy of which lies with The Kashmiriyat.
Principal Secretary General Administration Department and Secretary Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs have been appointed as the members of the committee.
The committee may co-opt any other member as may be required and shall submit a report/ recommendations taking into the account all aspects of the selection process within 15 days from the date of the issuance of this, the order reads, adding that the inquiry committee shall be serviced by General Administration Department, the order reads further.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinah said that we have decided to constitute a committee that will be headed by the Secretary home to probe the fingers that have been raised against the J&K SSB list of SI.
LG further added that “the committee will submit its report within shortest possible time and if anybody is found involved in playing mischief, strict action will be taken against person’s involved.