Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday expressed dismay over the appointment of a retired IAS officer as Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), calling it “another step towards systematic downsizing of locals from the J&K administration”.
In a statement issued here, Party’s state Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, “It is a rare sight to spot a local Kashmiri in higher administrative posts. Appointing an Andhra cadre officer as PSC chairman is another step in the direction of alienating locals in their own land.”
“With the Jammu and Kashmir cadre of the All India Services having ceased to exist, the doors of power corridors have permanently closed for locals in the bureaucratic setup. Previously only 50 percent of its All India Service officers were direct recruits chosen through UPSC exams, the other half came from Kashmir Administrative services officers who were promoted into All India services.
He further added, “With JK losing its status unconstitutionally, and undemocratically the ratio of locals in the bureaucracy has reduced to 33 percent. Both the state and the central government in previous decades have strived to maintain the balance. The present government has chosen not to be sensitive to the issues of JK. The measure has affected the development activities as well. It is very imperative for the GOI to make amends to this rule and ensure that 70 percent of the All India Service officers in JK are locals. The measure will give a sense of entitlement to locals.”
