Srinagar, Jun 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Sunday rejected the opposition’s allegations that permanent government jobs are being filled through outsourcing, asserting that all regular posts are recruited strictly through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on the basis of merit and transparency.
Addressing a press conference at SKICC in Srinagar, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani described the allegations as baseless, stating that outsourcing is used only to meet urgent manpower requirements beyond the sanctioned strength in departments such as health, agriculture and sanitation.
He said outsourced engagements are carried out through transparent tendering procedures, including the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and cannot be equated with permanent government employment.
Wani alleged that the outsourcing policy was introduced during the PDP-BJP Government between 2015 and 2018, adding that the present administration inherited the policy. He also challenged the opposition to produce evidence of any backdoor appointments made by the current government, while alleging that irregular appointments had been made in Jammu and Kashmir Bank and the Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) during the previous PDP-led regime.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo reiterated that all permanent government appointments are made only through JKPSC and JKSSB. She clarified that outsourced workers are not government employees and are not entitled to pension or other service benefits.
She further alleged that several appointments made in Jammu and Kashmir Bank during the PDP-BJP tenure were illegal and said the matter remains under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Javid Dar said outsourcing is a standard administrative practice followed across the country under various centrally sponsored schemes. He explained that manpower is engaged through competitive procurement under the General Financial Rules (GFR) to address operational requirements in sectors such as animal husbandry, livestock health and rural development.
The ministers maintained that the government remains committed to transparent and merit-based recruitment while continuing outsourcing only where required under existing administrative and centrally sponsored schemes.
