Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Government has failed to settle seniority issue of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service commonly known as KAS even after the lapse of several years as a result of which adhocism is still prevailing.
As per the sources, the tentative seniority list was prepared in the year 2008 as per the year-wise availability of slots but it was not finalized for at least two years for unknown reasons although it was widely acceptable to the KAS fraternity.
In the year 2010, final seniority list was issued but the same raised eyebrows as it was not on the basis of tentative list but was drafted by adopting different formula. This list became the bone of contention and led to the litigations.
After several rounds of litigations in the State High Court and Supreme Court, the case finally reached back to Division Bench of State High Court, which after hearing the matter in detail remanded it back to the Single Bench with some observations.
Though the Division Bench had asked the Single Bench to decide certain issues within a period of two months yet the issue is still hanging in balance because of least interest shown by the Government in vigorously pursuing the case, sources said.
“Moreover, the Government didn’t operate the seniority list as was affirmed by the Single Judge for making temporary arrangement at the level of the HoD”, sources further said, adding the Government has in defiance operated impugned seniority list which stood quashed. Even the Government failed to review the representations filed by the petitioners in terms of directions of Single Bench which was to be done within a period of one month”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Single Bench had directed the petitioners to file representations demonstrating that some inductions had virtually taken place at the level of Time Scale KAS during 2004-08 but cases of the petitioners were left out.
It was specifically ordered that in case inductions have taken place in these years it will be incumbent upon the State to give seniority benefit to petitioners by reviewing their cases. “However, Government seems to be least interested to obey court orders and settle the contentious issue”, sources regretted.
“The Government is still pressing for adhocism at every level and is not serious on the issue despite having failed to get IAS inductions for eight years although large number of vacancies have already fallen vacant”, sources further said while disclosing that one set of officers who are beneficiary of adhocism are again pressing for release of monetary scheme of non-functional grades without determination of seniority.
“In the given circumstances majority of the law abiding officers are pinning hope on the present Chief Secretary for permanent solution”, sources said.
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