Jammu, Sept 5: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday questioned the posting of officers from Jammu and Kashmir to important positions outside the Union territory, while seeking greater representation for local officers and professionals in key administrative and institutional appointments.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jammu, Choudhary said capable officers from the Union territory should also be considered for senior positions within J&K.
He pointed out that officers from Jammu and Kashmir were being appointed to senior posts in other states and Union territories, including Ladakh, and questioned why similar opportunities were not being provided to local officers within J&K.
“If officers from Jammu and Kashmir can be appointed as DGs in other states or in Ladakh, why can’t officers from Jammu and Kashmir be appointed as DGs here?” he asked.
The Deputy Chief Minister said several local IPS officers had the experience and capability to occupy senior positions and should be given an opportunity to serve in the Union territory.
Choudhary also raised the issue of appointments in universities and other premier institutions, questioning why qualified professionals from Jammu could not be considered for positions such as directors and vice-chancellors.
He said the matter was directly linked to the aspirations of local employees, officers and young professionals.
“Look at the records. Our officers are being sent from Jammu and Kashmir to different parts of the country, to different states and Union territories. But why can’t our own officers be appointed here? Why can’t they be appointed as deputy commissioners here? Is this not discrimination?” he asked.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised the BJP’s recent protest in Srinagar, describing it as an attempt to divert attention from problems faced by people in Jammu.
He said various sections, including transporters, hoteliers, industrialists and unemployed youth, were facing difficulties and challenged the BJP leadership to address these concerns in Jammu instead of staging protests at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.
Choudhary said the government was also examining the concerns of MBBS interns over differences in monthly stipends and was considering the issue in its entirety.
On restoration of statehood, he expressed hope that the Centre would honour its commitments to Jammu and Kashmir. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had raised the matter, along with issues concerning reservation rationalisation, finalisation of business rules and the upcoming international film festival in Srinagar, during his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Choudhary said the government expected the Centre to fulfil assurances regarding restoration of statehood made in Parliament, before the Supreme Court and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. (AGENCIES)
