Existing 3 members retiring within few months
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (PSC)the prestigious recruitment agency for gazetted services in the state is deficient of six members as per regulations governing the body.
For the last over two years, the Commission is being manned by only three members and one chairman. Out of these three members, K.M Wani completed his term on March 2 this year, leaving the PSC with only two members and one chairman.
The sanctioned strength of the Commission is nine members including the chairman. As of now the states premier recruitment agency is deficient of six members.
Well placed sources revealed to KNS that although the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to see the Commission fully functional but the hectic lobbying by certain bureaucrats was not liked by him which has delayed filling up of the vacant posts in the Commission.
The tussle between the two coalition partners Congress and the National Conference vis-à-vis their favorites nominees is also a reason as to why the government is yet to send its recommendations on probable members to the Governor.
Pertinently, under section 129 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir the Chairman and the members of the PSC are appointed by the Governor for a period of five years or till he attains the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
Sources revealed to KNS that last year, a senior officer from the accounts services had lobbied hard to be recommended by the government as one of the members of the PSC. This officer, sources said had garnered support from two senior leaders of Congress and the National Conference. Similarly another bureaucrat from Jammu was recommended by the present deputy chief minister for the coveted post.
According to sources, the present chairman of the PSC S L Bhat, had met the chief minister Omar Abdullah on November 27, 2013 apprising him about functioning of the commission. Mr Bhat, sources said, had put forth his opinion about the deficiency of the members saying that the same is hampering the smooth functioning of the Commission. Sources said that the chairman of the PSC also shot a letter to the Chief Minister in this regard four months ago.
Vide SRO 479 of 1996, dated December 31, 1996, the sanctioned strength of the PSC was increased by two posts of members. Two more posts were added to this strength vide SRO 52 of 2007 dated February 28, 2007. Sources said that it was done apparently to lessen the burden on the Commission and to clear the backlog.
Pertinently, the chairman of the Commission S L Bhat is completing his term on September 11, 2014 while as the M H Samoon, the member of the Commission will retire on August 8-9, 2014. K B Jandial, the third and the last member of the Commission is retiring on November 16, this year. So by the end of November 2014 the Commission will be without members, sources added.
When contacted, S.L Bhat, the chairman of the PSC, said: The decision on appointment of the members of the Commission is to be taken by the government and I have nothing to do with it.
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