Govt’s handling of JKAS exam process caused distress to students: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Dec 7: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Sunday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of “seeking martyrdom at the cost of civil services aspirants”, alleging that the government’s handling of the KAS examination process has caused distress to thousands of students.

As per KNS, speaking to reporters, Lone said the Chief Minister was “trying to create conditions to present himself as a victim”, while several aspirants were unable to appear for the civil services examination. “How long will this go on? Thousands of aspirants had dreamt of sitting for KAS and some of them may have qualified. Their careers have been demolished,” he said, as per KNS.

Lone demanded that the Chief Minister issue a written clarification responding to every allegation surrounding the KAS matter and demolition drives. “He should come out in detail and in a written format. Otherwise, in our eyes he is guilty,” he added, seeking an explanation on who ordered the demolitions and under what directions.

Referring to the issue of age relaxation for aspirants, Lone questioned the government’s stand, saying Delhi had faced a similar issue and the then Chief Minister Kejriwal resolved it. He added that Jammu and Kashmir had more powers than Delhi and asked why the age relaxation could not be granted.

The Peoples Conference leader alleged that the government was focused on inaugurations and events instead of administrative decisions and files concerning students. Lone also criticised Omar Abdullah over recent comments on the INDIA bloc, saying the statement that the coalition was “on ventilator in the ICU” contradicted his earlier positioning.