Announces Heritage Restoration, MLA Pay Raise, Final Power Amnesty
Suhail Khan
Jammu, March 20 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that his government has planned to fill 7,253 vacancies—both Gazetted and Non-Gazetted—by the end of the year.
The chief minister as per Kashmir Despatch stated that 11,526 selections have been made across these categories over the past two years.
The Chief Minister, who holds charge of the General Administration Department (GAD), specified that 1,502 Gazetted vacancies and 5,751 Non-Gazetted vacancies are targeted for recruitment this year.
Responding to a query raised by MLA Satish Kumar Sharma, he provided a breakdown of the total 32,474 vacancies across 38 government departments as on January 31, 2025 include 2,503 Gazetted posts, 19,214 Non-Gazetted posts and 10,757 Class-IV (MTS) posts. The Chief Minister outlined various measures undertaken to address these vacancies: 13,466 Non-Gazetted vacancies were referred to the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) in the past two years, with 9,351 selections already completed.
2,390 Gazetted vacancies were referred to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), resulting in 2,175 selections over the same period. 10,757 Class-IV (MTS) vacancies have been identified across departments and are under Finance Department scrutiny before being referred for recruitment.
More than 6,000 vacancies are ready for referral and will be sent to recruiting agencies shortly, he said.
To ensure faster and more transparent recruitment, he said, the government has abolished interviews for posts up to Pay Level 5 (₹29,200-92,300) through S.O. 180 (dated 28.05.2020).
Eliminated interviews for Level 6 posts, including Junior Engineers and Naib Tehsildars, via S.O. 36 of 2025 (dated 14.02.2025) and d departments to identify additional posts up to Level 6 where interviews can be removed to accelerate recruitment, the CM Omar Abdullah said.
He said the revised JKSSB regulations (notified on 22.11.2022) to introduce online CBT-based examinations and a single-exam system for multiple posts where feasible.
CM Omar Abdullah emphasized that the J&K Public Service Commission and JKSSB have been directed to adopt a proactive, target-based approach for timely recruitment.
He provided updates on key vacancies under recruitment: 150 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts have been referred to JKSSB for selection. Once the Cadre Schedule for Engineering Gazetted and Subordinate Services is finalized, the remaining engineering vacancies will also be referred. 150 Gazetted vacancies (Assistant Professors/Librarians/PTIs) in Higher Education are under process for referral.
Of 840 referred vacancies, 476 have been filled, and 364 are in the final stages of selection. 116 Non-Gazetted vacancies in Higher Education have been forwarded to the Finance Department for concurrence before referral.
56 Gazetted and 660 Non-Gazetted vacancies in Health and Medical Education have been referred for selection.
597 Lecturer posts across 27 disciplines in the School Education Department were referred to JKPSC between November 2024 and January 2025.
Additionally, all Administrative Departments have been directed to refer available vacancies to recruiting agencies without delays, he said.
On the issue of regularizing Daily Wagers, the Chief Minister said the Government has announced a high-level committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, J&K, to examine humanitarian, legal, and financial issues related to the regularization of Casual, Seasonal, and Other Workers (CSLWs).
“The committee will propose a comprehensive policy for regularization,” he reiterated.
The Chief Minister also highlighted a key reform including J&K Government extended the deadline for notifying recruitment rules by six months in November 2024.
This decision, taken via Executive Orders, aims to resolve delays in formulating recruitment policies and ensure timely hiring for critical government positions.
Furthermore, he said, the JKSSB’s mandate has been expanded to oversee Non-Gazetted recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), government companies, boards, and other state-controlled entities to streamline hiring processes.
Meanwhile, In a sweeping address during the Budget Session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a multi-pronged agenda targeting governance modernization, heritage conservation, and equitable policy reforms.
The initiatives aim to address long-standing issues while preserving the region’s cultural identity.
Heritage Revival and Infrastructure Boost
Abdullah prioritized cultural preservation, allocating ₹65 crore to restore 33 heritage sites and expedite the delayed Mubarak Mandi complex project, pledging completion within three years. He also confirmed repairs for Jagti township, emphasizing infrastructure as a pillar of community development.
MLA Salaries Aligned with National Standards
Acknowledging stagnant legislator pay since 2015, Abdullah proposed a cross-party committee—including Congress, PDP, and Opposition leaders—to revise MLA salaries every five years, mirroring parliamentary practices. “While officers now earn ₹3 lakh monthly, MLAs remain tied to decade-old scales. This disparity must end,” he stated. Updates to Constituency Development Fund (CDF) guidelines were also urged to reflect current needs.
Power Amnesty: A Final Reprieve
The Chief Minister declared this year’s power bill waiver the last, critiquing recurring amnesties as unfair to consistent payers. Illustrating his point, he described a scenario where a prompt-paying citizen questions why a defaulting neighbor benefits repeatedly. “Rewarding delinquency undermines responsibility,” he asserted, ruling out future extensions.
Land Preservation and Roshni Scheme Revival
Abdullah warned against unchecked agricultural land conversion, stressing that losing arable plots would heighten dependency on external resources. Defending the controversial Roshni scheme, he endorsed reinstating its core goal: granting land rights to leaseholders. “Previous amendments diluted its intent. We must correct this,” he added, referencing adjustments made during Ghulam Nabi Azad’s tenure.
Governance Overhaul and State Guest Facilities
Criticizing the Planning Department’s reduced role, Abdullah called for a review to restore its strategic impact. Meanwhile, new state guest facilities in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 and Delhi’s Prithviraj Road will replace defunct structures in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chandigarh. He also appealed for reclaiming Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg—a symbolic property currently under Army control—to “reclaim J&K’s identity.”
Modernizing Legislature Infrastructure
A new Assembly complex with tech-enabled courts for virtual hearings was confirmed, aligning with digital governance trends.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
