The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A wave of discontent is sweeping through the ranks of junior Jammu Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers as they contemplate submitting mass resignations in protest against prolonged stagnation and perceived administrative neglect from the government in matters of career advancement.

In a unified communique released by the junior scale JKAS officers hailing from the 2012 and 2013 batches to the Srinagar-based news agency KDC, the disheartened officials announced their intention to tender mass resignations next week, citing "persistent stagnation and administrative indifference from the General Administration Department regarding career progression concerns."

Despite qualifying for the prestigious examination over 12 years ago, officers from these batches decry the absence of promotions to the coveted JKAS Time Scale.

They expressed their frustration, revealing that individuals appointed to lower positions, including Orderlies and Junior Assistants, have rapidly ascended the promotional ladder, achieving the JKAS Time Scale after a mere five advancements.

In contrast, the junior JKAS officers allege being side-lined and overlooked, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the promotion process.

Speaking anonymously, one of these officers lamented the lack of attention to their plight, emphasizing, "I was appointed as Under Secretary in the government in 2013, and I am still Under Secretary in the civil secretariat. It has been 10 years, and there is no one to listen to our grievances."

The aggrieved officers further pointed out the paradoxical situation where law officers recruited in 2012 are set to be inducted into JKAS this year, exacerbating the frustration among the affected officials.

They argue that the government must create additional posts to address the longstanding issue and ensure a fair and equitable career progression for JKAS officers.

Alarming trends have emerged, with former subordinates, including Head Assistants and Section Officers, assuming leadership roles, leaving the junior JKAS officers in a disconcerting position, they said. “This unsettling dynamic, coupled with the perceived indifference from the General Administration Department, has contributed to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies among the affected officers,” they said.

The officers expressed dismay that candidates who failed the JKAS examination and opted for alternative services like Law or Planning have surpassed their JKAS-qualified counterparts, securing over three promotions within just 11 years.

This unsettling situation has become a distressing norm within the General Administration Department, prompting the junior JKAS officers of the 2012-I, 2012-II, and 2013 Batches to strategize a pivot.

They have resolved to prepare for Non-Gazetted level examinations, aiming to create promotion avenues to the JKAS Time Scale within the current limitations of the GAD's operational framework.

SRINAGAR — In a pivotal move, the Jammu & Kashmir administration has instructed departments to promptly address pending compassionate appointment cases falling within their jurisdiction under SRO-43. This directive emphasizes the immediate settlement of cases where no age or educational qualification relaxations are necessary, and suitable positions exist.

The General Administration Department's office memorandum advised administrative secretaries to resolve such pending compassionate appointment cases within their departments. It stressed the importance of meticulous diligence and adherence to codal formalities prescribed in SRO-43/1994 and relevant legal provisions.

Departments have been instructed to furnish compliance reports to the GAD fortnightly, detailing the number of cases resolved. Notably, cases within the purview of administrative departments or heads of departments should not be forwarded to the GAD.

SRO-43, initially offering government job opportunities to kin of those affected by conflict-related casualties or deceased government employees, has been replaced by a revised compassionate appointment policy effective from January 1, 2023.

SRINAGAR — The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has released the schedule of public holidays for the year 2024. In accordance with Government Order No. 1583-JK(GAD) of 2023, dated December 11, 2023, issued by the General Administration Department of the Civil Secretariat, Jammu and Kashmir, the designated holidays for the upcoming year have been officially announced.

These public holidays encompass a range of cultural, religious, and national events. Here is the comprehensive list of public holidays for 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir:

This diverse array of holidays throughout the year celebrates various cultural, religious, and historical events. Individuals and institutions across Jammu and Kashmir can plan their activities and schedules accordingly based on these declared public holidays for the year 2024.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday ordered the constitution of a committee for verification of service records of the employees registered on JKHRMS whose initial appointment orders are not available.

Headed by Principal Secretary to the Government, Chairman, Finance Department, the five-member committee has been tasked to scrutinize and verify the entries recorded in the service books of such employees whose initial appointment orders are not forthcoming and available with reference to the other near analogous, supporting or ancillary record, which may be available with the Departments and/or their subordinate offices to establish the genuineness and veracity of the service record.

“The committee shall prioritise the examination of cases of the employees, who may have retired on superannuation in the intervening period,” reads the government order.

“The committee shall, after establishing the genuineness/veracity of the records of the aforesaid employees, and make appropriate recommendations to the concerned Administrative Departments for release of salaries in favour of these employees,” the government said, adding, “The committee shall, after seeking inputs from the concerned Administrative Departments, make specific recommendations to General Administration Department within one month of the issuance of this order in respect of the cases where the genuineness of service records could not be established beyond reasonable doubt.”

The other members of the committee include Director General, Accounts & Treasuries, Finance Member Department, Representative of General Administration Member Department (not below the rank of Additional Secretary), Representative of ARI & Trainings Department Member (not below the rank of Additional Secretary) and Representative of Department of Law, Justice & Member Parliamentary Affairs (not below the rank of Additional Secretary).

The committee shall be serviced by the General Administration Department, the order added.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday modified its previous order and said that the holiday of Eid-ul-Adha will now be observed on June 29-30 (Thursday and Friday).

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, the government modified its earlier order and said that the holidays of Eid-ul-Adha will be on June 29 and June 30 instead of June 28 and June 29.

“In partial modification of Government Order No. 1596-JK (GAD) of 2022; dated 30.12.2022 and Government Order No. 1597-JK (GAD) of 2022; dated 30.12.2022, it is hereby ordered that the holiday on account of 'Eid-ul-Azha' shall now be observed on 29th & 30th June, 2023 (Thursday & Friday) instead of 28th & 29th June, 2023 (Wednesday & Thursday) in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir,” the order reads.

SRINAGAR — The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ordered for creation of 1083 posts of teacher Grade-II and Grade-III for Ladakh besides it also approved the creation of 104 gazetted and 382 non-gazetted posts for transfer to the Union Territory.

In an order, the General Administration Department (GAD) has said that the posts were created and transferred to Ladakh in the apportionment of assets, liabilities, and posts of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir between the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh that has been notified in October 2020.

According to the news agency KNO, GAD has said, “SO 339 of October 2020 provides for a detailed listing of additional 325 Gazetted and 3000 Non-Gazetted posts from the overall strength of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union territory of Ladakh.”

“In 2021, the School Education Department has transferred 1284 Non-Gazetted posts including 1083 supernumerary posts of Teacher Grade-II and Grade-III, to the Union Territory of Ladakh and after considering the list of posts provided by the Union Territory of Ladakh, 1756 additional posts including 221 Gazetted and 1535 Non-Gazetted were transferred to Union Territory of Ladakh,” it reads.

The J&K Government also said, “General Administration Department of Union Territory of Ladakh in 2021 shared revised list of additional 104 Gazetted and 382 Non-Gazetted posts for a detailed listing and also requested to transfer regular 1083 Teacher Grade-II and Grade-III posts instead of supernumerary posts.”

It said that the JKGAD was further intimated that if the posts were not available in a particular department, the posts from other departments with similar nomenclature and pay levels shall be considered and if no such posts are available, then posts of similar pay levels may be apportioned to Union Territory of Ladakh.

The government said that a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India was held on November 16, 2022, and it was decided that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall get the remaining posts created including the 1083 supernumerary posts of Teacher Grade-II and Grade-III and list the same for transfer to Union Territory of Ladakh.

“The Finance Department has conveyed concurrence to the creation of 486 posts including 104 Gazetted and 382 Non-Gazetted for transfer and listing in favour of the UT of Ladakh in terms of S0 339 and accordingly, the Administrative Council in January 2023 has approved the creation of 104 Gazetted and 382 Non-Gazetted and 1083 substantive posts of teachers for transfer to the UT of Ladakh in terms of SO 339,” it reads.

JKGAD also said, “Now therefore, the sanction is accorded to the creation of 104 Gazetted and 382 Non-Gazetted posts in the pay levels indicated for transfer to the UT of Ladakh. Further, the sanction is also accorded to the creation of 1083 posts of Teacher Grade-II and Grade-III in applicable pay levels as per the relevant recruitment rules for transfer to UT of Ladakh with immediate effect.”

SRINAGAR — With the 12th Rabi al-Awwal falling on Sunday, the government on Friday ordered that the holiday on ‘Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi’ shall be observed on October 9 instead of October 8.

“In partial modification of the Government Order No. 1337-JK(GAD) of 2021 dated 16-12-2021 read with the Government Order No. 1338-JK(GAD) of 2021 dated 16-12-2021, the holiday on account of ‘Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi) shall be observed on 9th of October (Sunday) instead of 8th October 2022 (Saturday) in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads a government order.

Meanwhile, the government said that the provincial holiday on account of "Urs Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Sahib" shall now be observed in Kashmir province on October 23, 2022 (Sunday) instead of October 22, 2022 (Saturday).

SRINAGAR — In a significant move to ensure transparency and accountability in governance, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory has directed all the departments to identify and recommend the transfer of employees having a tenure of more than five years.

Official documents in possession of the news agency KNO reveal that J&K’s chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta has directed the authorities to identify and transfer all employees having tenure of more than five years.

The directions for the rationalization of staff were passed by him during a meeting of the committee of secretaries (CoS) held under his chairmanship on August 16, 2022.

“CS observed that some of the officials who have tenure of more than five years need to be relocated immediately. All departments were asked to identify and recommend transfer of employees having tenure of more than five years, within seven days,” reads the documents.

Subsequently, the General Administration Department (GAD) on August 24 wrote to the administrative secretaries to identify and recommend the transfer of employees in their subordinate offices who have completed a tenure of more than five years.

The GAD again wrote to the departments on Friday to furnish action taken report(s) in the matter for appraisal of the chief secretary.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday ordered the transfer of 14 IAS, IRS and JKAS officers 'in the interest of administration' with immediate effect. This is in addition to the transfers of three IAS and one IRS officer earlier in the day.

According to an order, Bipul Pathak, IAS (AGMUT:1992), Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, has been transferred and posted as Director General, Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development.

Alok Kumar, IRS, Principal Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, holding additional charge of Estates Department, has been asked to hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Civil Aviation Department and Civil Aviation Commissioner, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Saurabh Bhagat, IAS (AGMUT:2002), Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department.

Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IAS (AGMUT:2005), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department, has been also asked to hold the charge of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Sarmad Hafeez, IAS (AGMUT:2009), Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department, has been asked to hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Doifode Sagar Dattatray, IAS (AGMUT:2014), OSD in the J&K Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara.

Devansh Yadav, IAS (AGMUT:2016), Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization, holding additional charge of Managing Director, J&K IT Infrastructure Company and Managing Director, JKI Limited, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar.

Basharat Qayoom, IAS (JH:2016), Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, IAS (AM:2017), Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Budgam.

Khalid Jahangir, JKAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization. Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, KAS Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department.

Vikas Sharma, JKAS, Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has been transferred and posted as Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing. Ashok Kumar Sharma, KAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, has been transferred and posted as Director, Estates, Jammu, relieving Subash Chander Chhibber, JKAS, Director, Youth Services and Sports, J&K of the additional charge of the post.

Vishesh Paul Mahajan, JKAS, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda.

Earlier Bhupinder Kumar, IAS, Transport Commissioner, J&K was transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department.

Dr Piyush Singla, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department. Rahul Sharma, IAS, Secretary in the General Administration Department has been transferred and posted as Transport Commissioner, J&K.

As per a separate order, Alok Kumar, IRS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Youth, Services & Sports Department is posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, School Education Department. “He shall also hold the charge of Estates Department,” the order adds.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday ordered a reshuffle in the administration.

According to Government Order No. 942-JK(GAD) of 2022 issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Qazi Masood, JKAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, is posted as Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation Kashmir.

Syed Nadeem Iqbal Andrabi, JKAS, Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to the Government, Industries and Commerce Department.

According to another Government Order No. 943 -JK(GAD) of 2022, Javaid Ahmad Malik, Jr. Scale JKAS, Under Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department, is transferred and posted as Administrative Officer, J&K Services Selection Board, Srinagar.

Surbhi Raina, Jr. Scale JKAS, Under Secretary, BOPEE is transferred and posted as Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board.

Mamta Rajput, Jr. Scale JKAS, Administrative Officer in the J&K Services Selection Board, Jammu, is transferred and posted as District Social Welfare Officer, Jammu.

Anil Kumar, Jr. Scale JKAS, Assistant Director Employment Jammu (Central) is transferred and posted as Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board.

Pulkit Dutta, Jr. Scale JKAS, CDPO, Billawar, is transferred and posted as Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board.

Abdul Raqib Bhatt Jr. Scale JKAS, Block Development Officer, Bandipora is transferred and posted as Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board.

Kashif Altaf Bhat, Jr. Scale JKAS, presently posted as Under Secretary in J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as Under Secretary to the Government, Housing & Urban Development Department.

Sadia Ahmed, Jr. Scale JKAS, Block Development Officer, Dhansal, is transferred and posted as Administrative Officer, J&K Services Selection Board, Jammu.

Harjinder Singh, Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as Under Secretary to the Government, Skill Development Department.

Altaf Hussain Bhat, Administrative Officer in the J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as Administrative Officer, Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K.

Bishan Dass, Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as Under Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Rafia Nabi, Under Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as Under Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday ordered the renaming of 18 educational establishments and roads after some eminent personalities and the security forces who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Besides, the government also ordered necessary steps to be taken for amending the records for effecting the changes.

According to the news agency KNO, Principal Secretary to Government, General Administration Department (GAD), Manoj Kumar Dwivedi in an order sanctioned an accord for naming infrastructure assets after the 18 ‘slain’ or eminent personalities.

The assets that will be named after these personalities include Government Higher Secondary School Soaf Shali Anantnag, Government Boys Middle School Wanpora Gurez, GMS Chandanwari, GMS Dab, and BMS Kupwara.

The government had also ordered the renaming of UPS Kundlayan; GMS Banday Mohalla Handwara; UPS Kashmiri Manigah; Government Boys Middle School Garhi; Government Boys Middle School Jaganoo; Girls Middle School Muthlal Alanbass; Government Middle School Bagga (Jamslan); MS Butt Pura Dool; MS Sounder; Middle School Chatyari, Panchayat Loorkote; PS Patti; Government Girls Middle School Kheri and Government Primary School Dab Ditta.

According to the order, the School Education Department has been asked to take immediate necessary steps including amending records for effecting the changes.

“Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Jammu shall personally monitor the naming of infrastructure assets in their respective divisions while the Deputy Commissioners shall ensure that suitable events are held in connection with the naming of these infrastructure assets,” it reads.

SRINAGAR — In a significant move, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory on Thursday brought permission for movie shooting under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA).

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the General Administration Department (GAD) today issued a notification, making it mandatory for authorities to provide permission for shooting of a movie in J&K within a period of 30 days.

The 30-day period includes 15 days for obtaining a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the concerned deputy commissioner, Home department, Culture department and Forest department.

Enacted in 2011, the PSGA makes it mandatory for the government to deliver notified public services within the specified time limit.

In 2021, the government unveiled a film policy to attract greater investment in the film sector and to make Jammu & Kashmir the choicest destination for film shooting of both national and international filmmakers.

It is worthwhile to mention that Kashmir was a preferred destination for filmmakers before the eruption of armed conflict in 1989. Films like Kashmir Ki Kali, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Himalaya Ki God Mein, and Janwar were shot in Kashmir.

The scenic landscape of Jammu & Kashmir continued to charm not only the Indian filmmakers but also some international ones as well. Two films – Bill Murray's The Razor's Edge in 1983, and The Climb (UK film) in 1986 were also shot in varied locations in Kashmir Valley.

SRINAGAR — The administration on Monday constituted a search committee for the appointment of Chairman for Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and Director for Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT).

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the General Administration Department has approved the sanction to the constitution of the search committee for the post of JKBOSE Chairman and JKSCERT Director.

The committee will comprise five members headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department.

The other four members include the Principal Secretaries of School Education and Higher Education departments respectively and vice-chancellors of Jammu and Kashmir universities, respectively.

Pertinently, despite having a term of only two years, the incumbent chairperson of JKBOSE Veena Pandita has been in position for nearly four years now.

Pandita on August 10 in 2017 was appointed as officiating chairperson of BOSE by replacing Zahoor Ahmad Chatt, who was sent back to his parent Higher Education Department.

However, after being an officiating chairperson of the JKBOSE for nearly nine months, Pandita was appointed as permanent Chairman for a period of two years on April 5, 2018, and her tenure was supposed to expire on April 4, 2020, but the government extended her tenure by a month till April 30, 2020, in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir.

On April 8, 2020, the government constituted a search committee for suggesting a panel for the appointment of the chairman of JKBOSE. The orders to constitute a committee were issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) that had five members.

The five-member committee was headed by the Financial Commissioner of the Finance Department. The other four members of the committee were Principal Secretary to Government for School Education Department, Secretary to Government for Higher Education Department, Vice Chancellors (VC’s) of Central University of Jammu and Samba and Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir (KU).

Later on July 6, 2020, the government re-appointed Pandita as chairman of JKBOSE for two more years.