Azad favours full autonomy for J&K Public Service Commission

Srinagar, Sep 12 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today favoured full functional autonomy for the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to maintain its integrity and independence from outside influences.

''I feel the Commission needs to be given full functional autonomy in tune with the constitutional provisions to maintain its integrity and independence from outside influences,'' he said at the inaugural session of the Golden Jubilee function of the PSC here.

Established on September 1957, the Jammu and Kashmir PSC has completed 50 years of its existence this month.

Mr Azad assured his full support to the PSC for independence from executive and political influence to function as a true autonomous institution as envisaged in the Constitution which safeguards it.

The job of the PSC in Jammu and Kashmir was more challenging and difficult in the absence of private sector due to which the educated youth preferred government service, he added.

Mr Azad said the role of bureaucracy and the government was getting limited in the overall economic development of the country, declining the avenues of employment in the government sector.

In Jammu and Kashmir, he said due to its geography, adverse climatic conditions and lack of industrialisation, the employment opportunities in the private sector have not grown at all.

The Chief Minister said the government by and large was still the only and the major employer for the educated youth. The best and bright brains in the state still opted for government services whereas in other states they prefer to join the more lucrative jobs in the fast growing corporate sector, he added.

Mr Azad said 70 per cent of the state government's resources go into the salaries of its employees. He underlined the need for the Commission and the state government to work in tandem for making time-bound recruitment and fixing calendar for conducting civil services examination as was the case with the UPSC.

The Chief Minister complimented Jammu and Kashmir PSC Chairman Mohammad Shafi Pandit for making selections in fair and transparent manner standing legal scrutiny. This has infused confidence and faith in the minds of public and the aspiring candidates, he added.

Mr Azad hoped that the Commission would uphold its high standards of objectivity, efficiency, probity and transparency. He described the launch of an interactive web site by the PSC as a progressive step, allowing it to remain in touch with candidates besides making available all information about recruitment process to them.

UNI