Srinagar, Aug 8: Though State Finance Commission has called for efforts by government to overcome the declining share of Kashmir in government jobs, the under-representation of the Valley in public services continues to grow.
 A cursory look at selection lists for different departments issued by recruiting agencies- Public Service Commission and State Service Recruiting Board- during past few months shows that a particular region has got lion’s share.   
 On August 4, the PSC issued selection list for Assistant Director Statistical cum Evaluation vide notification No. PSC/EX 96.
 Of the 91 selectees, 70 candidates belong to  a particular region while just 20 candidates have been selected from Kashmir. One selected candidate is from Ladakh region.
 The process has come under sharp criticism from the dropped candidates from Kashmir.
 Smelling rat, the candidates alleged that “minimal representation” given to Kashmir in the selection list has once again shown discrimination against the region.
 Though the allegations by the dropouts can not be proved at hand, a cursory look at selection process by the recruitment boards including PSC and SSRB during past 10 to 15 years shows that the whole process has remained tilted towards a particular region.
 In fact the revelations have been made by none other than the SFC which was constituted to recommend for equitable development of all the three regions.
 Quoting official data received from PSC and SSRB, the Commission in its report to the government has highlighted that from 1997 to 2008 of the total recruitments made by SSRB, more than 59 percent were from particular region, 41.9 percent from Kashmir and less than 1 percent from Ladakh.
 In case of recruitments by PSC from 1983 to 2006, the Commission has pointed out that 51 percent recruitments were made from a particular region, 47 percent from Kashmir region and more than 1 percent from Ladakh.
 Take another example of selection of Assistant Conservators of Forests for which the final selection list by the PSC was issued some two months back.
 In this case too a particular  region has got lion’s share. Out of 40 selected ACFs, 28 candidates were from a particular  region and just 12 from Kashmir. An ACF can reach up to the position of Chief Conservator of Forests.
 In the report the SFC has cautioned: “The overall picture that emerges on recruitment (by PSC and SSRB) during past two decades shows the particular region has excess benefits though its population share is less than that of Kashmir region.”
 The report goes on to add that “the disparity is more glaring against the Kashmir region during the Xth plan and it justifies government’s pro-active policy of recruitment in favor of the Kashmir region to make good the backlog employment in the service sector.”
 The SSRB and the government have come under criticism for selection of drivers in state cadre in State Motor Garage Department. All the 17 candidates selected for the posts belong to the particular region. No candidate has been selected from Kashmir.
 A government order No. 51-TR of 2011 dated August 5, 2011 issued by Deputy Secretary to government Transport department mentions that as recommended by J&KSSB sanction is accorded to the temporary appointment of 17 candidates as drivers in SMGD. Of the selectees eight belong to the particular region alone.
 The drop out candidates told Greater Kashmir that more than 6000 candidates had applied for the posts from Srinagar alone and total number of applicants from Kashmir was above 10000.
 “How is it possible that not a single candidate from Kashmir will not make it to the final selection list?” they asked. The posts were advertised last year.
 Through a separate order issued by the government (Order No 668-GAD of 2011 dated June 8, 2011) 80 senior assistants from different departments in the particular  region were deputed to IMPA, Jammu for undergoing Secretariat Assistant Training Course for four months.
 However in case of Kashmir only 40 Senior Assistants were deputed for the training at IMPA, Srinagar.
 Sources said following completion of the training courses the SAs will require qualifying departmental examinations for promotions. They can reach to the level of gazetted officials. 
 Sources said under the practice the government requires picking up one or two senior most SAs from each department for the training. However in case of the particular  region 4 to 5 employees have been selected from a single department in many cases.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST