Aspirants demand fairness in recruitment, age limit restoration: Tarigami appeals CM

SRINAGAR — Aspirants for Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) and the Fire and Emergency Services Department have raised pressing demands, urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and address their grievances.

CPI(M) leader and lawmaker Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami voiced his support for JKAS aspirants who are seeking the restoration of the upper age limit for open merit candidates to 37 years. This limit, previously in place before the abrogation of Article 370, was reduced to 35 years under a post-abrogation government order, sparking widespread concern among aspirants.

“This move has left many aspirants in despair, particularly those who have been preparing for the JKAS examination for years. Restoring the pre-abrogation age limit would provide much-needed relief,” Tarigami stated, urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to consider the long-standing demand. He also highlighted the issue on social media, amplifying the candidates’ plea.

In a parallel development, job aspirants from the Fire and Emergency Services Department met with the Chief Minister, presenting allegations of recruitment irregularities. The aspirants shared what they described as “extensive evidence” of family favouritism, paper leaks and backdoor entries that have plagued the recruitment process since 2020.

The group expressed hope that Omar Abdullah would ensure a fair review of their grievances and take steps to ensure transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.