MTS staff possessing higher qualification: Govt seeks details of ‘delinquent’ candidates

Srinagar, Feb 14: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought details from its offices across the Union Territory about the reported higher qualification being possessed by the Multi Tasking Staff appointed in the year 2022.
Reports inform that it has come to the notice of the LG administration that several complaints have been received wherein it has been alleged that a portion of selected/appointed candidates were in possession of qualification higher than the prescribed one as on the relevant cut-off date. The government has asked the Departments to initiate urgent appropriate action in all such cases and also act against the delinquent candidates under norms.
The Minimum and Maximum qualification prescribed for appointment to Class-IV/MTS posts, as per the Jammu and Kashmir Appointment to Class-IV (Special Recruitment) Rules, 2020 notified vide S.O 184 of 2020 dated 04.06.2020, is “Matric and 10+2” respectively.
Pursuant to the indent placed by the General Administration Department on 22.06.2020, the J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB) advertised 8575 Class-IV/MTS posts vide Notification No. 01 of 2020 dated 26.06.2020 and prescribed 28.08.2020 as the last date for applying in online mode for the posts advertised.
According to the JKSSB, candidates, while filling the application forms, submitted “Self-Declaration” that they are in possession of the prescribed qualification as per the advertisement/notification issued by the Board and also submitted an “Affidavit” to the Board at the time of verification of documents, affirming therein, that they were not in possession of qualification higher than the one prescribed for the post as on cut-off date of 28.08.2020 i.e. the last date for applying in online mode for the posts advertised by the Board.
The J&K SSB, while forwarding the recommendations of the selected candidates, also advised the concerned appointing authorities that they shall satisfy themselves about the fact that the candidates are in possession of the ‘prescribed minimum (10th) and maximum qualification (12th) as on the said cut-off date before issuing the appointment orders and in case it is found that any candidate is possessing qualification higher than the prescribed one as on the said cut-off date, the Board may be intimated so that criminal proceedings against such . candidate(s) can be initiated by the Board.
However, reads an official communication in this regard, several complaints have been received wherein it has been alleged that a few selected/appointed candidates were in possession of qualification higher than the prescribed one as on the relevant cut-off date.
“In view of the above, it is enjoined upon all the concerned Administrative Departments to immediately examine all such cases to ensure that the candidates appointed as Class-IV (MTS) on the recommendations of the J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB) were not in possession of qualification higher than the one prescribed in the relevant rules as on the above cut-off date as prescribed by the Board while advertising the Class-IV(MTS) vacancies vide Notification No. 01 of 2020 dated 26.06.2020 and, if there are cases in which appointment orders have been issued in violation of the relevant rules, the Departments shall initiate urgent appropriate action in all such cases and also act against the delinquent candidates under norms,” reads an official order. (KNO)