Srinagar, June 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government has dismissed allegations of ‘backdoor appointments’ made by Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
To clarify the situation, senior leaders from the ruling National Conference (NC)—Health and Education Minister Sakina Ittoo, Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, and Chief Minister’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani—held a joint press conference.
The government firmly rejected the accusations of backdoor recruitment, stating that all appointments in government departments are made strictly based on merit and according to established recruitment procedures.
Minister Sakina Ittoo mocked Mufti’s comments regarding outsourcing jobs instead of filling them through the Public Service Commission (PSC). She expressed concern over Mufti’s understanding of the recruitment process, stating, “It is unfortunate that despite holding such a high position, Mehbooba Mufti is unaware of the recruitment process.”
Ittoo emphasized that outsourcing should not be considered a permanent job. She noted that young individuals working through outsourcing are appointed under centrally sponsored schemes like the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and Mission Vatsalya.
Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani clarified that the government has adopted a transparent and merit-based policy for recruitment, rejecting claims of backdoor appointments. He assured that every recruitment follows the established legal and institutional processes, ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for qualified candidates.
Wani also pointed out that attempts are being made to create unnecessary confusion among the public regarding outsourcing. He remarked that the current system has been inherited from previous administrations, and like many other issues, this method of outsourcing has been in place since the time of earlier governments.
Minister Ittoo reiterated that outsourcing should not be equated with government recruitment. She explained that outsourcing is a temporary administrative arrangement adopted solely to meet immediate operational needs and should not be considered a regular appointment in government service.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and merit-based recruitment, assuring candidates that no appointments are being made outside the established legal framework. Officials stated that the administration is focused on ensuring a fair and reliable recruitment process across all departments.
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