The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) here on Sunday expressed strong resentment over the recent recruitment drive carried out by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Srinagar, under the Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals & Dispensaries; Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU) scheme, alleging that the entire process was marred by irregularities and favoritism.
In a statement issued, Munawar Mehraj, Advisor of JKSA, expressed deep concern over what he termed as a “blatant disregard for merit and transparency.” He said that “the Directorate has reportedly filled 23 posts; including 13 Veterinary Doctors and 10 Veterinary Inspectors; on a first-come, first-served basis, without conducting any written test, interview, or merit-based evaluation.”
Calling the move “highly arbitrary and unjust,” Mehraj said such actions strike at the very foundation of a fair and transparent recruitment system. “This is not just unfair; it is a betrayal of the hopes of thousands of qualified youth who have invested years in their education with the belief that merit and hard work will be the only criteria for public employment,” he remarked.
He further pointed out that the recruitment procedure adopted by the Directorate not only violates principles of equal opportunity but also raises serious ethical and administrative questions about how appointments are being made in government departments. “When selections are made on the basis of favoritism rather than fairness, it diminishes public confidence and discourages the talented youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Saqlain Rashid, JKSA Coordinator, also condemned the recruitment process and demanded a time-bound and transparent inquiry into the entire episode. He urged the government to take immediate cognizance of the issue and initiate corrective measures. “There must be a high-level probe to ascertain how these appointments were made in violation of recruitment norms. Accountability must be fixed, and those responsible should face strict action,” Saqlain asserted.
The Association called upon the government to cancel all such irregular appointments made under the scheme and to re-advertise the posts through a fair and competitive selection process.
JKSA further emphasized that such incidents demoralize deserving candidates and deepen the sense of alienation among unemployed youth in the Union Territory. “The government must ensure that merit and transparency remain the guiding principles in all recruitment processes. Only then can we restore faith in institutions and give hope to a generation struggling with unemployment,” the statement said.
