Jammu, April 30 (KNS): In a significant step towards revitalizing the Jal Shakti Department, the Government has appointed 269 Junior Engineers, marking a major push to strengthen the department’s human resource capacity.
This initiative comes in response to a prolonged period of staffing constraints over the past five to six years, during which entry level recruitment processes and promotions had largely remained stalled while a substantial number of senior level leadership positions of Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers retired, adversely affecting the department’s overall efficiency and field-level execution.
The appointments have been made across various categories in accordance with the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Rules, ensuring equitable representation.
Out of the total selections, 138 posts have been filled under Open Merit including Economically Weaker Sections, while 25 candidates belong to the Resident of Backward Area category.
Additionally, 29 appointments have been made under Scheduled Tribe–1, 22 under Scheduled Tribe–2, 21 under Scheduled Caste, 22 under Other Backward Classes and 12 under the Actual Line of Control category.
Soon after assuming office, the Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah identified the acute manpower shortage in critical departments as a priority area requiring immediate intervention.
In the Jal Shakti Department, where the shortage had begun to severely hamper the implementation of water supply schemes, the Minister In-Charge, Javed Ahmed Rana, initiated a series of decisive and transformative measures to address the situation.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Recognizing the gravity of the crisis and the urgent need to restore functional efficiency, Minister Rana advocated for swift and pragmatic action.
As an extraordinary step in view of the prevailing administrative exigency, he pitched for relaxation of certain procedural norms to expedite the recruitment process.
The proposal received prompt approval from the Council of Ministers, enabling the department to move forward without procedural delays.
The Minister also issued clear and categorical directions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra to fast-track recruitment as well as promotions, emphasizing the need for close coordination with the recruiting agency to ensure timely completion of the process.
As a result of these sustained efforts and proactive governance, all 269 Junior Engineer positions have been filled in record time.
The entire recruitment process has been conducted with complete transparency and strict adherence to all applicable rules and regulations.
This landmark step is expected to significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Jal Shakti Department, enabling more efficient implementation and monitoring of water supply schemes and ultimately ensuring improved service delivery to the public.(KNS)