*Minister Sakina Itoo Clarifies Outsourcing Is Temporary Administrative Arrangement, Not Government Recruitment*
*Minister Javed Dar Says Outsourcing Policy Introduced During PDP Tenure, Government Only Continuing Existing Framework*
Srinagar, June 28 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Sunday strongly rejected allegations of backdoor appointments, asserting that all recruitments under the present administration are being conducted strictly on merit through transparent procedures, while clarifying that outsourcing and recruitment are two separate processes.
Addressing a press conference on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as per news agency JKNS, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said the government’s employment policy was being deliberately misrepresented and several misconceptions were being spread regarding recruitment.
Wani said all recruitments under the present government are being carried out strictly on a merit basis and in a phased manner through transparent mechanisms.
He said the present administration has no role in backdoor appointments and challenged the opposition, particularly the PDP, to produce evidence in support of their allegations.
The Advisor said those accusing the government of making backdoor appointments should remember that such practices belonged to their own tenure. He added that the government completely rejects the figures circulated by the opposition regarding alleged backdoor appointments.
Wani also clarified that recruitment and outsourcing are entirely different processes and maintained that not a single backdoor appointment has been made by the present government.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sakina Itoo said backdoor appointments cannot be equated with regular recruitment, describing them instead as temporary administrative arrangements.
She said all regular appointments are being made only through the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board and the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission.
The Minister clarified that outsourcing is merely an administrative mechanism adopted under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and does not amount to permanent government employment.
She said outsourcing arrangements were introduced during 2015 and 2018 and alleged that it was the PDP government that had withdrawn powers related to the engagement of casual labourers and daily wagers.
Referring to the opposition’s claim of 25,000 backdoor appointments, Sakina Itoo said the figures being quoted were their own and challenged them to place the evidence in the public domain instead of making baseless allegations.
She termed it unfortunate that some leaders were attempting to portray outsourcing as a substitute for recruitment through JKPSC, saying such statements were misleading and irresponsible.
The Minister also referred to an official order issued on February 23, 2018, stating that it was based on policies framed during the previous government and had substantially altered the existing system.
Expressing concern over the impact of political rhetoric on young people, Sakina Itoo said she genuinely felt for the youth who were being misled through emotional slogans and false narratives.
She said the government’s priority is to protect the youth from drug abuse and ensure better employment opportunities through transparent recruitment.
Taking a dig at the opposition, she described the allegations as “the guilty making the loudest noise” and alleged that one of their MLAs had secured government jobs for four relatives, a matter which, she claimed, is presently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Minister Javed Ahmad Dar also dismissed the allegations and urged people to understand the difference between outsourcing and recruitment.
He said outsourcing exists across India and is being followed in several states and Union Territories as an administrative requirement linked to sanctioned strength.
Dar alleged that the public was being deliberately misled on the issue and said the outsourcing engagements had originally been initiated during the PDP-led government, particularly around 2017, after obtaining Cabinet approval.
He maintained that the present government is merely continuing the existing policy framework inherited from the previous administration. (JKNS)
