Another scam unfolds: JKPCC working president decries JKSSB’s exam leak culture
Jammu, August 25: Demanding a high-level inquiry into the leakage of the question paper of the Junior Engineer (Electrical) exam conducted on August 24, Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former minister, Raman Bhalla unequivocally condemned the shocking and reprehensible acts of those at the helm fo the affairs.“This egregious breach represents not merely an administrative failure, but a profound betrayal of the unwavering trust placed by thousands of genuine, hardworking, and meritorious candidates who harbor legitimate aspirations to serve our region through fair, transparent, and equitable recruitment processes”, Bhalla said.
Demanding the immediate institution of a comprehensive, high-level judicial probe to systematically identify, investigate, and hold fully accountable all individuals and entities responsible for orchestrating this unconscionable leak of the question paper prior to the commencement of the examination, Bhalla regretted that bungling in the recruitment process has become a routine affair after 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir.“The documented fact that the compromised question paper was brazenly circulated across multiple social media platforms well before the scheduled examination time serves as irrefutable evidence of deep-rooted systemic corruption, institutional bungling, and deliberate malpractice pervading the very foundations of the JKSSB”, he pointed out.“This deplorable incident cannot and must not be dismissed as an isolated aberration.
Rather, it constitutes yet another damning chapter in an increasingly disturbing and well-documented pattern of chronic mismanagement, institutional incompetence, and a complete absence of transparency that has systematically plagued recruitment examinations conducted by the JKSSB”, he said and regretted that . not a single recruitment examination administered during this extensive period has been conducted free from controversy, widespread malpractices, systematic irregularities, or compromising paper leaks.
Bhalla takes the strongest possible exception to the repeated, inexcusable failures of the JKSSB, as unambiguously demonstrated through a litany of past scandals that have severely undermined public confidence.
The working president of JKPCC recounted J&K Police Sub-Inspector (JKPSI) Recruitment Scam (2022), Junior Engineer (Civil) Exam Scandal (2022), Accounts Assistant (FAA) Examination Scam (2022) and Fire and Emergency Services Recruitment Irregularities to expose JKSSB’s failure.“These incidents are not mere oversights but symptomatic of deep-rooted corruption within the JKSSB and the broader administrative framework”,Bhalla said, adding, “The BJP-controlled administration in Jammu and Kashmir bears direct responsibility for this sorry state of affairs”.
Despite repeated promises of good governance and transparency, the administration has failed to implement robust safeguards, such as advanced digital monitoring, independent oversight, or stringent vetting of service providers”, he said, adding, “Instead, it has allowed a “job mafia” to thrive, brazenly betraying the educated and meritorious youth of Jammu and Kashmir”.“This betrayal is particularly painful in a region where unemployment rates are high, and young people look to government jobs as a pathway to stability and dignity”, he said.The JKPCC working president expressed profound regret over how these malpractices are shattering the dreams of our youth, pushing many into despair or forcing them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Bhalla demanded a time-bound inquiry into the current leak, with public disclosure of findings, overhauling of the JKSSB, including the appointment of an independent vigilance committee to monitor all future recruitments, compensation for candidates’ expenses and efforts wasted due to these failures, and strict penalties for those found guilty, to deter future misconduct.
