Srinagar, March 08: Scores of job aspirants Wednesday protested against the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) for allowing a blacklisted company, Aptech Limited to conduct its various examinations.
The protesting aspirants assembled at Press Enclave and raised slogans against the JKSSB for hiring the blacklisted company, Aptech limited which has been allegedly blacklisted in a number of states including Rajasthan, Ambala and others.
The protestors alleged that the authorities are putting their career at stake by allowing a blacklisted company to take examinations. The company has been hired by the JKSSB for conducting the computer-based tests of Junior Engineer and Senior Inspector posts.
Fatima Yaqoob, a protesting candidate said, “the company has already been shortlisted in other states. Why J&KSSB wants the same company to conduct exams unless it is in their interest,” she questioned, adding “Aptech should be banned immediately as it has very bad record in other states. We don’t want our future to be decided by a tainted company.”
In the year 2022, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh had ordered a high-level panel headed by a retired High Court Judge to conduct a probe regarding Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board for irregularities in appointing a blacklisted agency, Aptech Limited for conducting various examinations.
Fatima added, “How can a government body ignore the ruling of the High Court and put the career of thousands of youth at stake. Thousands of aspirants are protesting but why is our administration silent”
In 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir administration cancelled the selection process for 65 JEs in the Jal Shakti Department due to the allegation of discrepancies.
In 2022, the administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha cancelled the selection list of 1200 police sub-inspectors, 1300 junior engineers and 1000 finance account assistants following the allegations of paper leak and malpractices.
“They have conducted several exams and cancelled them afterwards. How many times do we have to take the same examination? Why do malpractices and irregularities happen in the first place? Amidst the chaos, many of us are getting overaged. Many are in a state of depression,” said Azhar Ahmad, a protesting aspirant.
The aspirants demanded fair and transparent recruiting process for the examinations to be conducted and also cancellation of Aptech contract.
“We want the Lieutenant Governor to look into the matter and cancel the contract of Aptech. We will continue our protest till the contract is cancelled,” said a protesting lot.
Many aspirants, civil society members, politicians have taken the social media by storm and demand an action to be taken against the company.
The protest had taken place in Jammu too where the protestors faced lathicharge from police. Several protestors were detained as well.
Political leaders, parties condemn use of force against job aspirants
Several political parties and leaders have unanimously condme3ned the use of force against the job aspirants in Jammu who were protesting against Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) for hiring a black listed company to conduct exams.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah along with leaders of other political parties condemned the use of force against the job aspirants.
“I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the use of force and lathicharge against students and JKSSB aspirants. These youngsters were exercising their democratic right to protest against the recent decision to engage a blacklisted firm,” Abdullah, the National Conference vice president, said.
Talking to reporters in Shopian, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the lathicharge against the job aspirants in Jammu.
“Many unemployment youths are on protest both in Srinagar and Jammu. They were lathicharged and I condemn that in strongest possible terms. Is this their fault that they wanted to ask the BJP government why is their future being played with,’ she said.
On what basis, and at whose behest, has the company, which is blacklisted by other states, been awarded contract to conduct the recruitment here, she asked.
“Laws were changed to make sure it gets the contract. So, the youth were asking this question only, but they were lathicharged, detained. I demand that the LG take action against those officials who are involved in this,” Mehbooba said.
The youths work hard, prepare for the exams day-night, but then they are told that there was some irregularity in the recruitment — conducted by APTECH — and the exam was cancelled, the former J and K chief minister said.
“They have to start from zero again. They (the government) are pushing the future of the youth here to darkness,” she added.
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone also condemned the police action.
“Strongly condemn the use of force against students protesting APTECH. Using force against students shows how alienated the administration is. Who would order use of force against young students. Have some shame. U (you) would probably have children at home, of same age group,” Lone wrote on Twitter.
Democratic Azad Party (DAP) leader and former J and K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad tweeted, “It is disheartening to hear about the use of violence against #JKSSB aspirants in J and K who were peacefully protesting for their future. I strongly condemn such actions and urge the government to intervene to protect the rights of students without fear of harm!”.
On the issue of protests against the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) by job aspirants, Bukhari said his party supports them fully and appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to cancel the contract of the firm Aptech to conduct written tests for recruitment for various posts.
“On the day of Holi, please fill the lives of these youth with colours, and cancel the contract… Also, take action against those officials who awarded them the contract,” he said.
Congress spokesperson Jahanzaib Sirwal, DAP chief spokesperson Salman Nizami and Apni Party Youth Wing state vice president Raqeeq Ahmed Khan also condemned the use of “brute force” against the peaceful protesters.
“The company is blacklisted in so many states and has also been fined by the Supreme Court. What more can be a moment of displeasure for the youth of J and K,” Nizami said.
Ghulam Nabi Azad tweeted, “It is disheartening to hear about the use of violence against JKSSB aspirants in J&K who were peacefully protesting for their future. I strongly condemn such actions and urge the government to intervene to protect the rights of students without fear of harm.”
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference strongly condemned unjust and brutal lathi-charge on protesting students and JKSSB aspirants in Jammu.
In a joint statement Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said, “Using such brutal force against our own youth reveals how alienated the administration is. These aspirants were exercising their democratic right to protest against the decisions of the government to engage a black listed firm for conducting JKSSB exams”.
The spokespersons said the decision of the government has made our youth restive, how can they sit on their hands when their future is at stake? “It’s the responsibility of J&K Govt to ensure that the recruitment process is transparent and fair. We hope that the Govt will take their concerns seriously and take the necessary steps to address this issue”.
