Says finalization of JKAS departmental examination syllabus in final stages
Jammu, Mar 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said financial liabilities amounting to more than Rs 2,500 crore will be transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh in accordance with the apportionment of assets and liabilities following the reorganisation of J-K.
The chief minister was replying to a query by National Conference member Jamshaid Lone during the Question Hour in the Assembly.
“After the reorganisation of J-K, the apportionment of assets and liabilities is to be carried out as per the notification issued by the general administration department in October 2020,” Abdullah said.
Most of the recommendations have been implemented, he added.
On the apportionment of public debt, he said financial liabilities of Rs 2,504.46 crore are to be transferred to Ladakh.
“The matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakh UT for further processing,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, provides for the reorganisation of the state of J-K into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — effective October 31, 2019.
It followed the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that the finalization of the syllabus for the 2018-24 batches of J&K Administrative Services is in its final stages, and the examinations will be conducted soon thereafter.
Responding to a supplementary question from Member Aijaz Ahmad Jan, the Chief Minister acknowledged the delays but assured that the process is now nearing completion.
“The government has gradually streamlined these processes, which had been delayed for some time. However, the complexity of the revision caused an unavoidable delay. This is the first syllabus revision since 2000—after nearly 25 years—which required significant changes,” he said.
He further explained that the administration conducted a comparative analysis of J&K’s syllabus with those of other States and Union Territories to ensure alignment with national standards.
“Necessary modifications have been incorporated, and relevant departments, including Revenue, Law and Information Technology, have contributed to the process,” he added.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that senior IAS officers were consulted in drafting the final syllabus. “The final draft is now ready, and I assure this House that we will complete the process within a month,” he said.
Addressing the query regarding the 2018 and 2019 batches of Junior JKAS officers, the Chief Minister clarified that existing operative rules do not provide for the declaration of Junior Scale JKAS officers as quasi-permanent.
Instead, the confirmation of their probation is contingent upon passing the Departmental Examination, as mandated by the following service rules:
Rule 22(1)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956
Rule 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Service (Probation & Examination) Rules, 2000
Rule 16(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service Rules, 2008
As per Rule 16 of SRO 386, probationers must pass the Departmental Examination within two years of their appointment to be confirmed in service.
However, the Chief Minister highlighted that the examination could not be conducted due to major administrative changes brought about by the Jammu and Kashmir Re-organization Act, 2019, which restructured the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
This reorganization necessitated a comprehensive revision of laws, statutes, and regulations, including those governing the Departmental Examination.
“As a result, the syllabus had to be thoroughly revised to align with the new administrative framework and updated legal provisions introduced by the Re-organization Act,” he said. He further informed the House that Government Order No. 1514-JK(GAD) of 2023, dated 30.11.2023, had constituted a committee to finalize the syllabus for the JKAS Probationers’ Departmental Examination.
“We are making every effort to expedite the finalization process. Once the syllabus is approved, steps will be taken immediately to conduct the examination. The confirmation of probation for these officers, which depends on successfully passing the examination, will be processed without delay in accordance with the relevant service rules,” the Chief Minister assured.
Govt refutes Financial Crisis Claims
Jammu Tawi, Mar 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the portfolio of the Finance Ministry, has firmly denied any accrual of significant financial liabilities due to poor financial planning. This statement comes in response to growing reports of financial strain, with claims that the state’s treasuries were running dry, leaving employees and the general public in distress.
In a detailed reply to a starred question posed by Mir Mohammad Fayaz, the government refuted allegations of financial mismanagement. The Chief Minister claimed in his reply that all financial liabilities are being regularly discharged, and there is no substantial delay in payments. The government disclosed that during the fiscal year 2024-25, ₹5,280 crore has been allocated for General Provident Fund (GPF) payments, ₹1,041 crore for gratuity, ₹953 crore for commutation, and ₹278 crore for leave salary. The treasury-wise details of pending bills, specifically related to GPF pensioner benefits, were also provided to the legislator.
However, as per the government estimates, the number of employees subscribing to GPF has seen a slight decline, with 2,09,459 employees in 2022-23 contributing ₹3,929.24 crore, and 2,02,904 employees in 2023-24 contributing ₹4,090.77 crore. The government clarified that GPF subscriptions are received as contra credits, which are essentially book adjustments. Payments are being cleared regularly based on the availability of resources.
The government also addressed concerns regarding delays in payments to contractors for executed works. It stated that priority is given to clearing bills for capital works to boost infrastructure development. During 2024-25, ₹6,184 crore has been paid to contractors, and all bills up to January 7, 2025, have been cleared.
Pertinently, according to the Economic Survey Report (ESR) 2024-25 tabled in the House on Thursday, the outstanding debt of Rs 1,25,205 crore represents 52 per cent of J&K’s GSDP of Rs 2,38,677 crore. The public debt of Rs 83,010 crore constitutes 66 per cent of the total on-budget outstanding debt in FY 2024, including internal debt of Rs 82,300 crore and Rs 710 crore in advances from Government of India.
