After chairman, JKPSC gets 3 members

Jammu, June 14: Almost four months after the appointment of its chairman, the government has finally appointed three members of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).

The newly appointed members included a retired Principal District Judge and a professor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu (SKUAST-J).

Appointments have been made by the Lieutenant Governor in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 93 of the Jammu and Kashmir Re-organization Act, 2019, read with S.O. 3937 (E) dated October 31, 2019, and order issued in terms of sub-clause (i) of clause (c) of the Proclamation issued by the President dated October 31, 2019.

The members appointed included Rajiv Singh, Professor and Head, Division of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science & AH, SKUAST-J, R S Pura; Tariq Ahmad Zargar, JKAS, Secretary in the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj  and Yashpal Kotwal, retired Principal District Judge, Samba.

As per the notification, these appointees will hold the position of the members, Public Service Commission, till they attain the age of sixty two years and their appointment will take effect from the date they assume the office.

The Commission, which has a sanctioned strength of a Chairman and eight members, was working without its members.

Earlier on February 24, 2024, the government had appointed senior IPS officer of 1991 cadre A K Chowdhary as its chairman. The notification of his appointment mentioned that he would hold the position of the Chairman Public Service Commission, till he attained the age of sixty two years.

Chowdhary succeeded former IAS officer Satish Chandra Mishra, who retired in November, 2023.

As per JKPSC (Business and Procedure) Rules, 2021, (if the number is even) one half of the number with the addition of one and the number exceeding half of the total number (in case of odd number) shall constitute the quorum for JKPSC, empowered to take any decision with regard to any recruitment process or Departmental Promotion Committee affairs.

They decide all confidential and procedural matters related to its business, including fixation of schedules for interviews and examinations.

Absence of members was impacting schedules of interviews and examinations.