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‘Didn’t Receive Response’: LG Sinha Vs CM Abdullah Over JKAS Exam Age Relaxation Row
‘Didn’t Receive Response’: LG Sinha Vs CM Abdullah Over JKAS Exam Age Relaxation Row
JKAS Exam Row: A war of words has erupted between Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after the latter claimed that the Lok Bhavan has been delaying approval of age relaxation for aspirants of the Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) Combined Competitive Examination.
However, the LG refuted the claim, saying the office received the file regarding the matter on December 2, and it was returned the same day with a specific query about whether it was “logistically possible to conduct the exam on December 7 by incorporating modifications in eligibility criteria at such a belated stage."
The National Conference leader accused Lok Bhavan of delaying approval of age relaxation for aspirants of the exam. In a post on X, Abdullah's Office expressed “deep concern" over the stress faced by candidates amid travel disruptions caused by nationwide airline chaos and the added uncertainty over the JKPSC exam.
The Chief Minister argued that age relaxation had been granted multiple times in the past and that the current delay had placed aspirants at a disadvantage.
He also urged the JKPSC to “consider postponing the exam in the interest of fairness and equal opportunity," stressing that students were facing unprecedented pressure due to both administrative ambiguity and travel hurdles.
“Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the travel chaos caused by the ongoing airline issues, compounded by the uncertainty resulting from Lok Bhavan's delay in approving age relaxation, a provision granted multiple times in the past. He urged JKPSC to take note of the unprecedented stress on aspirants and consider postponing the exam in the interest of fairness and equal opportunity for all," the JK Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
However, the Lieutenant Governor refuted the Chief Minister's charge. The LG's office said that “social media posts with regard to JKPSC exam are misleading," asserting that the file received from the General Administration Department on December 2 pertained only to age relaxation, not to exam scheduling.
According to the LG Secretariat, the file was returned the same day with a specific query: whether it was “logistically possible to conduct the exam on December 7 by incorporating modifications in eligibility criteria at such a belated stage."
The LG's office added that despite four days having passed, “Lok Bhavan did not receive any response" from the concerned department. “I fully sympathize with young aspirants," the LG stated.
The issue of age relaxation for aspirants of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) competitive exams reached a climax as the exam begins on Sunday.
Voicing serious concern on the issue, former Chief Minister and president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti said on X, “Aspirants of the JKPSC CCE are caught in a tussle between the LG and the CM. In this freezing cold, they are out on the streets asking for nothing more than basic fairness -age relaxation and a reasonable exam schedule."
“I urge @OfficeOfLGJandK and @OmarAbdullah to step in and resolve this issue without any further delay," she said.
The row came at a time when aspirants—especially those under the open merit category—have intensified protests demanding that the upper age limit be raised from 32 to 37 for the upcoming examination cycle. The agitation has gained momentum across Srinagar and Jammu.
The exam is scheduled for Sunday across Jammu and Kashmir, and the Public Service Commission conducting this prestigious examination, has already issued admit cards to the aspirants.
(With inputs from agencies)
Source: News18
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