Social media users in Kashmir are expressing their anger on Twitter and other social media platforms over the selection of APTECH company by the LG-led administration for conducting the Jammu Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) exams.
APTECH has been penalized by the supreme court and is on the blocklists of various states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
In fact, in 2020, the Mumbai-based company was given a contract for conducting recruitment exams for the 643 posts under the irrigation department. The private firm conducted exams for 397 posts in the first phase with large-scale anomalies in February 2020. Following that, Gauhati High Court stayed the declaration of results of the examinations to select section assistants for the Assam irrigation department.
The Jammu Kashmir administration has canceled four recruitment exams for police sub-inspectors in the home department, Junior Legal assistant, financial accounts assistant in the finance department, and junior engineers in the Jal Shakti department, following gross irregularities.
Exams conducted by the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) through the blacklisted company Aptech Limited for positions as a civil engineer, SI’s were cancelled by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in December 2022.
The court mandated that the government form a high-level committee under the leadership of at least one retired judge from the High Court to look into JKSSB’s actions regarding its “blatant” irregularities and violations of the law in altering the tender’s terms and conditions.
The court questioning the awarding of the contract to APTECH asked the JK admin, “Why it mattered to them to award a contract to conduct an exam by a company that has in the past encouraged unethical behavior in public exams and consequently initiate the corresponding actions against those found guilty.”
Irfan Ahmed, a candidate for a competitive exam, claimed in a conversation with The Kashmiriyat that thousands of candidates for different positions are demanding that APTECH not be permitted to hold any exams under the JKSSB.
He stated that the government had previously canceled similar exams conducted by the Aptech agency because it has consistently failed to provide transparency and accountability in conducting such an exercise. “We don’t understand why the Jammu Kashmir administration is recruiting them again, putting thousands of young people’s futures at stake,” Irfan said.
Aspirants alleged that the LG management and JKSSB were not serious about the future of the youth. “When the applicants sought help from the High Court, which ordered a judicial inquiry into the selection process of a blacklisted company, the next day, JKSSB challenged that ruling and allowed a blacklisted company to be known for its incompetence and an unsafe examination process”.
Irfan said that the candidates throughout Jammu Kashmir are urging that the Aptech company, which has been entrusted with administering the JKSSB exam, be prohibited because the company is blacklisted in various states.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism and anger in Kashmir. Several political parties have also expressed their anguish over the selection of a blacklisted company to conduct the exams in Jammu Kashmir. Some even alleged that there was a “major scam” at work.
State Spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Imran Nabi Dar tweeted “JKSSB is the enfant terrible of the incumbent J&K administration. The board inspite of addressing the genuine concerns and fear of the educated, skilled local youth seems hellbent to destroy their future by continously persisting with a blocklisted company #APTECH.”
Salman Nizami, who is the spokesperson of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s DPAP said, Given the alarming rise in unemployment in Jammu Kashmir, the government must show sincerity in its efforts towards the youth.
Spokesperson of National Conference Ifra Jan tweeted “An examination firm black listed repeatedly for fraud is continuously being hired AGAIN AND AGAIN by BJP government in JKSSB examinations. The lives, dreams & futures of students of Jammu and Kashmir don’t matter at all. Their dreams, careers are totally indispensable! Bravo BJP!”
Jammu Kashmir Peoples conference leader Irfan Sultan Panditpuri said “Many delegations of JKSSB aspirants from Mawer,Langate and Kupwara have approached my office that Aptech has been given contract for conducting exams which has been allegedly blacklisted in many states. My humble appeal to Hon’ble LG @manojsinha_ Ji to have a kind look into it.”