NC’s Farooq Abdullah, CPI(M)’s Tarigami criticize LGs for new orders before government formation

NC President Farooq Abdullah at the Dussehra event in Srinagar on October 12, 2024. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar

Two notices issued by the administration of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor in a span of 24 hours evoked a sharp reaction from the president of the National Conference (NC) Dr. Farooq Abdullah and CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami on Saturday (October 12, 2024). With this, the stage seems set for a turf war between LG and the upcoming Chief Minister over the latter’s reduced capacity.

In the first amended guidelines for the recruitment of Jammu and Kashmir police (Gazetted) notified, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has been tasked with “administering direct recruitment, and promotions will be supervised by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC)”.

Earlier, J&K Police had its own recruitment board to fill vacancies. According to the amended rules, the J&K Police is under the control of the LG, and the CM will have no role in its functioning.

In a separate initiative, the LG administration notified an amendment to the recruitment rules under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, 2010. This amendment empowers the Service Selection Board to recruit all Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), govt. companies, corporations, boards, and organizations owned or controlled by the J&K government. It also included Class IV posts. This order makes it difficult for the incoming government to close vacancies even at the Class IV level.

In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 309 of the Constitution of India read with Section 15 of the Jammu and Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, 2010, the LG was pleased to direct that the following amendment should be made in Jammu. and the Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Rules, 2010, the order read.

In response to these new orders, NC president Dr. Abdullah said, “The truth is that the biggest problem we have in J&K is unemployment. It’s a big problem. Our offices need new people. Our hospitals and schools need (staff). We have the right human resources,” said Dr. Abdullah, who was in Srinagar to attend the Dussehra event on the invitation of the LG.

He said that the priority of the NC government would be to merge Jammu and Kashmir. “We want to end hatred,” said Dr. Abdullah.

CPI(M) leader and MLA-elect Tarigami criticized the LG administration over the new orders on appointment and service matters. “The issuance of new orders on appointment and service matters by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir, a few days before the formation of the new legislature and Cabinet, undermines the importance of the upcoming legislature and Cabinet, which is expected to be formed soon,” said Mr. Tarigami.

He pointed out that as of 2018, Jammu and Kashmir was under the Central government, and such orders should have been issued years ago. He questioned the timing of the L-G’s decisions, and suggested that these issues should have been left to the elected officials to handle.

He described the orders as “unwarranted” and wanted them to be “immediately reversed”. “There is a need to respect the democratic process as the region prepares for a new Assembly and a new government,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah, during Dussehra, said the time has come for the Kashmiri Pandits to return home. “We will take all necessary steps, not only for them but also for the people of Jammu. We are committed to restoring Statehood,” he added.