J&K Police Rules 1960 amended: SPOs, VHGs to get reservation in direct recruitment for constables

Jammu, June 19: The government has amended Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, 1960 to provide reservations to Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Volunteer Home Guards (VHGs), at the level of Constable in direct recruitment.

The amended rules provide for horizontal reservation to the extent of 15 percent of available vacancies for SPOs and 4 percent of available vacancies for VHGs.

To avail of this reservation benefit, the candidates under both categories should have a minimum of three years of engagement.

In case of non-availability of eligible candidates, these reserved vacancies will not be carried forward.

The upper age limit for direct recruitment as a constable will be 40 years, in the case of both categories.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 43 of the Police Act, Samwat,1983, the government hereby makes these amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, 1960 which shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent in the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, 1960,” notified Principal Secretary Home, Chandraker Bharti.

As per the notification, after rule 172-B, rule 172-C providing for the reservation of vacancies for SPOs and Volunteer Home Guards(VHGs) will be inserted.

“Horizontal reservation to the extent of 15 percent of available vacancies for SPOs and 4 percent of available vacancies for Volunteer Home Guards (VHGs) at the level of Constable in direct recruitment shall be earmarked in favour of the said categories having minimum three years of engagement. The quota so reserved shall not be carried forward to the subsequent year, in case eligible candidates are not available,” read newly inserted rule 172-C.

Besides, in sub-rule (1) of rule 182, a proviso has been added.

“Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in clause (c) of sub-rule (I) of rule 176, the upper age limit for direct recruitment as Constable shall be 40 years in case of SPOs and Volunteer Home Guards having a minimum 3 years of engagement,” the proviso added following amendment, read.