NC’s Farooq Abdullah, CPI(M)‘s Tarigami slam new L-G orders forward of presidency formation

Two notifications issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration in a span of 24 hours evoked sharp reactions from Nationwide Convention (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and CPI(M) chief M.Y. Tarigami on Saturday (October 12, 2024). With this, the stage seems set for a turf warfare between the L-G and the incoming Chief Minister over the truncated powers of the latter.

Within the first amended recruitment pointers for the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Service notified, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Fee (JKPSC) has been tasked to “deal with direct recruitment, whereas promotions can be overseen by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC)“.

Earlier, the J&Okay Police had its personal recruitment board to fill vacancies. Based on the amended guidelines, the J&Okay Police comes beneath the management of the L-G, and the CM may have no function in its functioning.

In a separate order, the L-G administration notified an modification of the recruitment guidelines beneath the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Companies (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, 2010. The modification empowers the Service Choice Board to recruit for all Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), authorities firms, companies, boards, and organisations considerably owned or managed by the J&Okay authorities. It additionally included Class IV posts. The order makes it tough for the incoming authorities to fill the vacant posts at even the Class IV stage.

In train of the powers conferred by proviso to Article 309 of the Structure of India learn with Part 15 of the Jammu and Civil Companies (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, 2010, the L-G was happy to direct the next modification shall be made within the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Companies (Decentralization and Recruitment) Guidelines, 2010, the order learn.

Reacting to the recent orders, NC president Dr. Abdullah stated, “The fact remains that the biggest issue we have in J&K is lack of jobs. It’s an acute problem. Our offices need fresh recruits . Our hospitals and schools are in need (of manpower). We have ready human resources,” Dr. Abdullah, who was in Srinagar to attend a Dussehra operate on the invitation of the L-G, stated.

He stated the NC authorities’s first precedence could be to unite Jammu and Kashmir. “We want to end hatred,” Dr. Abdullah stated.

CPI(M) chief and MLA-elect Tarigami criticised the L-G administration over the brand new orders concerning appointments and repair issues. “The issuance of new orders regarding appointments and service matters by the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Jammu and Kashmir, just days before the formation of the new legislature and Cabinet, undermines the significance of the upcoming legislature and Cabinet, which are expected to be formed soon,” Mr. Tarigami stated.

He identified that since 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been beneath Central rule, and such orders ought to have been issued within the earlier years. He questioned the timing of the L-G’s selections, suggesting that these issues ought to have been left for the elected representatives to deal with.

He described the orders as “unwarranted” and demanded their “immediate rollback”. “The need is to respect the democratic process as the region prepares for a new legislative Assembly and new government,” he added.

In the meantime, Dr. Abdullah, on the event of Dussehra, stated the time had come for Kashmiri Pandits to return house. “We will take all necessary steps, not just for them but for the people of Jammu as well. We are committed to restore Statehood,” he added.