Clearing the smoke: Shedding light on job transparency in J&K
By Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi
Fairness, accountability, and meritocracy can only be promoted by having transparent employment and recruitment procedures. Despite the BJP government’s professed commitment to promoting transparency in all facets of governance, there have been complaints regarding the lack of transparency in job recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir. One of the main reasons for the lack of transparency is the lack of a strong and independent oversight system to supervise the recruitment process is the cause of the lack of openness in hiring. This has made it possible for unethical behavior, nepotism, and corruption to continue in the hiring process. The frequency of political intervention in the hiring process is one of the primary causes. Instead of merit or qualifications, political ties or personal relationships are frequently used to fill open positions. Job searchers, especially those without family or political links, now feel unfairly treated and resentful of this. There have recently been allegations of fraud in the Jammu and Kashmir-based J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) exam.
According to media reports, a number of applicants claimed that the exam was fixed and that the outcomes were biased in their favor. Outrage and demonstrations have been held in Jammu and Kashmir in response to the charges of exam fraud in the JKSSB. Several test takers have come forward with proof of malpractice, including the use of unethical tactics including cheating, impersonation, and tampering with answer papers. The JKSSB, which is in charge of holding exams and choosing applicants for various government posts in Jammu and Kashmir, has pledged to look into the claims of fraud and to punish individuals found to be culpable. Many candidates, however, are dubious about the effectiveness of the investigation and are demanding a comprehensive and impartial examination of the subject. Also, it’s critical to hold individuals culpable for the JKSSB exam fraud and make sure they receive just punishment. This will convey a clear message that fraud and corruption in the hiring process for jobs in Jammu and Kashmir would not be tolerated. The JKSSB exam scam should serve as a wake-up call to the authorities to seriously examine the Jammu and Kashmir employment recruiting process and to take steps to ensure greater openness, accountability, and justice in the process. It is crucial to win back the trust of job searchers in the system and make sure they have an equal chance to land a job based on their qualifications and merits.
If transparency is a real motive of the BJP government then why the Jammu and Kashmir administration has once again chosen the APTECH business? Many states have placed the chosen APTECH corporation on their blocklists, and the supreme court has also penalized them.A blocklisting of Aptech for holding the JKSSB exams in Jammu and Kashmir is being demanded by thousands of students and candidates for competitive exams in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
While such an activity has been outlawed in UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, and other states, the aforementioned company has previously failed to assure transparency and accountability in performing it. Nevertheless, the J&K government is employing them to jeopardize the future of thousands of our children. Candidates claimed that the JKSSB and LG management weren’t concerned about the future of the young people. The High Court ordered a judicial investigation into a blocklisted company’s selection process after the applicants requested assistance from it. The following day, JKSSB challenged that decision and allowed a blocklisted company to become known for its incompetence and unsafe examination process.
The government’s decision has faced criticism across all social media platforms, including from the young individuals who took the examinations and various political parties. However, it remains uncertain what actions the government will take next. There have been suggestions that Aptech may be prohibited from conducting exams in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, transparency in the job recruitment process has long been a concern in Kashmir, with many individuals vying for limited opportunities in government departments. However, the current system often fails to address the needs of those who have been working as casual laborers in these departments for years.
It is imperative that a proper mechanism is established to ensure that the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) does not prescribe notifications for job openings in departments where such individuals have been waiting for years to become permanent employees. Not only is this process futile, but it also results in the youth losing both their time and money, while the courts spend years on the hearing process to issue stay orders, and so on The impact of the current recruitment process in Jammu and Kashmir on aspiring individuals cannot be overstated. Many of these individuals are facing mental stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the inconsistent and unpredictable nature of job notifications and examinations issued by JKSSB. It is the responsibility of the government to take the sufferings of these individuals seriously and to take the necessary steps to create a fair and transparent recruitment process. The current system has left many individuals feeling hopeless and without opportunities, exacerbating the economic and social challenges in the region By prioritizing a fair and sound recruitment process, the government can not only help alleviate the mental stress and anxiety experienced by many individuals but also promote stability and growth in the region. The time for action is now, and the government must take immediate steps to address these concerns and create a brighter future for all in Jammu and Kashmir.
(The author is a columnist and is pursuing MSC in zoology. He tweets @peermohdamir)
