JKAS Batch 2013 Officers Flag 13-Year Stagnation, Seek Urgent Promotion Reforms in Jammu Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), Batch 2013, have submitted a formal representation to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting prolonged career stagnation and seeking immediate policy intervention to address delays in promotions.

In their submission, the officers stated that they have completed over 13 years in the Junior Scale, despite being eligible for promotion to the Time Scale after four years of qualifying service. They attributed the stagnation to multiple factors, including the non-utilisation of leave reserve posts, vacant posts under departmental feeding services, and the reduction of the promotional quota for direct recruits to 50 percent at the Time Scale level under SRO-256 of 2016.

The officers pointed out that the quota structure has created an imbalance between direct recruits and departmental candidates, resulting in the supersession of senior direct recruits by junior officers from feeding services. They argued that this trend undermines principles of seniority and merit-based selection through the Public Service Commission.

Highlighting structural concerns, the representation noted that around 728 Junior Scale officers have been inducted since 2011, while the number of Time Scale posts has not increased proportionately. As a result, more than 575 direct recruit officers are awaiting promotion, whereas a significantly smaller number of officers from feeding services have progressed more rapidly.

The officers also flagged disparities with other states, stating that administrative services in regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana, and Arunachal Pradesh provide higher promotional quotas for direct recruits, ensuring more timely career advancement.

The representation further underlined administrative anomalies, noting that several departmental officers junior to JKAS officers of the 2012–2015 batches have already been promoted, leading to concerns over fairness and morale. It also cited inter-service disparities, pointing out that officers from allied services appointed after 2012 have already received one or more promotions.

Referring to existing policy guidelines, the officers emphasised that service rules are required to be reviewed periodically to prevent stagnation and protect seniority. They called for alignment of JKAS rules with national practices and guidelines issued by central authorities.

According to the representation, approximately 305 posts at the Time Scale level are currently vacant across various categories, including duty posts, feeding service posts, technical quota, and reserve categories. The officers urged the administration to utilise these vacancies immediately to clear the backlog of promotions.

Among key demands, the officers sought revision of the promotional quota in favour of direct recruits, abolition of the largely unutilised technical quota, and amendments to existing rules to ensure equitable career progression. They also called for the immediate use of available vacancies, including leave and training reserves, to grant long-pending promotions.

Describing JKAS as the premier administrative service of the Union Territory, the officers stressed that timely promotions are essential for maintaining morale, efficiency, and administrative effectiveness. They urged the Lieutenant Governor to take prompt and decisive action in the interest of fairness and good governance.