Govt silently restructuring SSB, over 100 transferred in single day
In a significant development the Jammu and Kashmir administration silently restructuring the Services Selection Board (SSB) in backdrop of alleged irregularities in the exam for the posts of police sub-inspectors.
In this regard, the administration accorded sanction for transfers of more than 100 officials in a single day from the recruiting agency.
As per sources in the administration, on directions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha around officers and officials were transferred out from the SSB, the premier competitive exam conducting agency of J&K, which has been facing serious corruption allegations.
“Over half a dozen transfer orders were issued in the last one week in which more than 100 officials working in SSB were silently moved-out,” the privy with development said.
On August 25, the General Administration Department issued four transferred orders and shuffled more than 100 officers including members of clerical staff, helpers and orderlies.
“77 officials were transferred from the SSB to other departments while 45 new have been deputed in SSB,” the sources said.
Two section officers, seven head assistants, 16 senior assistants, four junior assistants and 14 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) members were moved out from the SSB to other departments as per order number 969. Similarly, as per order number 968 a senior stenographer, a senior assistant, six section officers, three junior assistants and nine head assistants transferred from SBB.
In third such order number 970 one head assistant, one helper, two junior assistants and seven orderlies were transferred from SSB.
Moreover, 45 officers have been transferred to SSB from various departments which include a number of Section Officers, head assistants, junior and senior assistants, stenographers and orderlies.
The sources said that the overhaul has been initiated to bring change in the SSB.
They said that first such order was issued on August 16, 2022 in which seven Jammu Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers were posted at different positions in SSB while five officers were transferred out from the recruiting agency.
Furthermore, on August 18 a private Secretary was shifted out of SSB to another department.
Earlier, the exams for over 1200 police sub inspector posts were held in March this year and the results were announced in April.
As soon as allegations of malpractice and irregularities surfaced, J&K Lt. governor Manoj Sinha ordered an inquiry into the matter. Further, the case was transferred to the CBI. According to the CBI, the raids were conducted at 28 locations in Jammu, one at Srinagar and one in Bengaluru.
The FIR by CBI identifies 33 suspects.
A press release from CBI read: “It was alleged that the accused entered into conspiracy amongst officials of Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), a Bengaluru-based private company, beneficiary candidates and others, and caused gross irregularities in conduct of written examination for the posts of sub-inspectors.
It was further alleged that there was an abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba districts.
Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting the question paper to the Bengaluru-based private company.”
