Srinagar, May 10: The Kashmiri doctor, Shah Faesal, topping the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination has generated a debate in the Valley. Most Kashmiris believe that Valley youth can excel at the highest competitive level provided they get ample opportunities.
 Officials maintain that various institutions were denying Kashmir youth an opportunity to compete at the highest level by allotting examination centres to Jammu only.
 To name a few Telecommunication and Insurance companies, Railways, Public sector banks, GAIL, and GATE have never crossed the Pirpanjal range to allow the Kashmir youth to prove their mettle, officials said.
 Recently BSNL conducted examinations of Junior Telecommunication Officer (JTO) at Jammu while no center was set up in Kashmir. The trend was followed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Steel Authority of India. “All these establishments are doing a good business in the Valley but when it comes to providing opportunities to Kashmiri youth they refrain from it citing security reasons,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a student.
 He said one fails to understand that when Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) can conduct exams fairly and smoothly in Srinagar why other departments were unwilling to do the same. “There is no security threat in Srinagar. It seems it is nothing but biased approach of these establishments against Kashmiris,” he added.
 However, some candidates say this was no hurdle. “Even if we will have to go to Mumbai to participate in exams we will. We can participate anywhere and can make it,” said Mubashir Ahmad, a student of University of Kashmir.  
 Moreover, majority of youth fail to appear in the examinations conducted in Jammu. Usually the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts examinations through the Employment department for various posts in Central Government undertakings.
 But the officials of the department said Kashmiris are unable to participate in these exams as the posts are not advertised properly. “Earlier suggestion was given to the department that it should re-advertise posts advertised by the Staff Selection Commission in the Employment News in the vernacular dailies. But the department has failed to adopt the suggestion,” he added.
 The Director Employment Shafat Noor said he had no information why Railways, banks and other institutions do not conduct examinations in Kashmir.
 He said Staff Selection Commission regularly conducts the examinations here.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 IST