Response good for JK, poor for Ladakh
*Many locals, others ready to serve
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: The Union Government’s call seeking services of 18 All India Services officers for posting in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in view of shortage of officers in the two UTs has drawn good response with several officers opting to serve in J&K, a number of whom were natives of the UT. However, there was very little or virtually no response from the officers willing to serve in the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh.
The 18 All India-level Services, whose officers have been requisitioned by the Central Government for posting in Jammu and Kashmir, include Central Civil Services, Indian Railways Accounts Services (IRAS), Indian Railways Personnel Services (IRPS), Indian Railways Traffic Services (IRTS), Railways Protection Force (RPF), Indian Civil Accounts Services (ICAS), Indian Defence Accounts Services (IDAS), Indian Ordnance Factories Services (IOFS), Indian Defence Estates Services (IDES), Indian Postal Services (IPoS), Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Audit & Accounts Services (IAAS), Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS), Indian Civil Accounts Services (ICAS), Indian Information Services (IIS), Indian Revenue Services (IRS), Indian Customs and Central Excise Services (ICCES) and Indian Trade Services (ITS).
Official sources told the Excelsior that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh now being the Union Territories, the Central Government can post these officers in the UTs to overcome shortage of officers. However, the Government of India has decided to post officers of different services in J&K and Ladakh only after proper verifications including their service record etc.
“The Centre has sought willingness from the officers of 18 Services as it wants to post only those officers in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh who are ready to serve in the two Union Territories,” sources said, adding that record of the candidates would be subjected to scrutiny before clearing them for posting in the UTs.
Asserting that decision of the Central Government will help officers of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh posted outside to serve their respective Union Territories, sources confirmed that several officers from different Central Services including some locals have offered for posting in the twin UTs and their service record is being verified before giving them a nod.
Sources said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs also wants to post some experts in particular fields in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh so that they could deliver in the areas where expertise in the two Union Territories is required.
Confirming that response to the call of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for postings in Jammu and Kashmir is encouraging, sources, however, said the Government will depute the officers to the Union Territory after verifying service record, experience etc of the officers.
But, they said, response for posting in the Union Territory of Ladakh is dismal, mainly because of harsh weather conditions there. It may be mentioned here that many IAS, IPS, JKAS and JKPS officers besides officials from subordinate services from Jammu and Kashmir have been posted in the Union Territory of Ladakh to meet shortage of officers there.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has also sought return of two senior IAS officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre from the Government of India deputation and posting of three IAS officers-one each from Nagaland, Tamil Nadu and AGMUT cadre for their posting in the Union Territory.
The J&K Government has also sought posting of more IAS officers to Jammu and Kashmir from AGMUT cadre from the next batch of Civil Services to overcome shortage of the Direct Recruits.
“The Central Government is likely to accept request of the Jammu and Kashmir Government as their concerns over shortage of IAS officers in the Union Territory are genuine,” sources said, adding that the process has been initiated for return of IAS officers of J&K cadre sought by the UT Government and inter-cadre transfer of other officers. The process is likely to be completed within the next few days.
Just 55-60 IAS officers have been posted in Jammu and Kashmir and number of them were on deputation with the Government of India.
Sources attributed shortage of IAS officers in Jammu and Kashmir to new pattern of deployment of 67:33 by the BJP Government reverting 50:50 of the UPA Government, which has brought Jammu and Kashmir at par with other States. As per 67:33 proposal, there will be 67 percent Direct Recruits in the IAS while 33 percent will be promoted from Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services. Earlier, there used to be 50 percent Direct Recruits and 50 percent JKAS officers inducted into the IAS.
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