Days after hundreds of job aspirants from the valley took out candle marches protesting against the company conducting the computer-based selection process in the Union Territory, Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha Monday said vested interests are trying to derail the recruitment process.
Job aspirants are against the hiring of Mumbai-based “blacklisted” company, Aptech Limited, to carry out a computer-based selection process, in the Union Territory (UT) from March 16.
The LG appealed to the youth to stop carrying out candle marches and assured them those playing with the bread and butter of merit holders will not be spared.
He also came down heavily on leaders who led previous governments in Jammu and Kashmir for “instigating” the youth against his administration. He said unlike earlier when relatives of terrorists were given privileged access, now only merit holders will be given jobs.
Launching a scathing attack on valley’s politicians he said, “I appeal to youth not to come under the influence of such elements who want to snatch your bread. What can they say who themselves provided jobs to militants and their families? Those who recruited one lac people through the backdoor have no right to talk about current recruitments. I want to make it clear that those days are gone when jobs were made available at shops and were given on recommendations,” the LG said while addressing an event in Jammu.
Now only merit will talk and nobody will be allowed to snatch the bread of a merit holder,” LG added.
Recently, President of National Conference Farooq Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, both former chief ministers, joined candlelight protests by job aspirants.
He said that as complaints poured in the past about recruitments, the administration swung into action and cancelled the examinations. “The exams were cancelled and investigations were ordered.”
“Simultaneously, CBI was given the task to probe the matter and expose the culprits who want to snatch the bread and butter of merit holders,” said Sinha.
“I assure the youth the investigation is underway and the CBI will reach to the neck of the influential and bring them to justice soon,” added Sinha.
He said during the past three years the J&K administration provided jobs to 30,000 youth and there was a plan to provide 12,000 more jobs in the ongoing year.
Hundreds of job aspirants organised a candlelight march on Saturday evening in Jammu as a mark of protest against the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor administration’s move to hire a Mumbai-based “blacklisted” company, Aptech Limited, to carry out a computer-based selection process, in the Union Territory (UT) from March 16.
Carrying candles and raising anti-administration slogans, the aspirants marched towards the Lieutenant Governor’s house in Jammu. However, policemen present on the occasion formed a chain and used vehicles to block the street, leading to L-G Manoj Sinha’s official residence in Jammu.
The job aspirants have now knocked on the door of the Supreme Court to challenge the government’s decision to award recruitment contract to APTECH Limited.