No ban on Contractual/seasonal appointments, Govt says circular being mis-read
Circular just a reminder of the earlier orders issued on the subject: GAD
Srinagar, May 26: Amid confusion and chaos over the recent circular regarding the Casual/ Seasonal and adhoc appointments, the Government on Sunday sought to clear the air and said the fresh circular did not mention a blanket ban on the Contractual appointments, instead was just a reminder of the earlier circulars and orders issued on the subject from time to time. A senior office in the Governor Administration told (RNA) that the circular was nothing new, instead a reminder and reiteration of earlier government orders in this regard.
”We have not issued any new guidelines with this regard. The problem is nobody is reading the circular in totality. This is in-fact just a reiteration of our Government circulars banning such appointments without the approval of the Competent Authority.” the officer who holds a key position in the Governor Administration told RNA.
Meanwhile when contacted Secretary General Administration Department Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone also said that the fresh circular was a reminder of the earlier circulars issued on such appointments.
He said the circular was very much clear that no such appointment shall be made without the prior approval of the competent Authority.
Pertinently according to the circular Vide No.30-GAD of 2019 dated 24-05-2019, the government has invoked J&K Civil Services Act, 2010 asking administrative secretaries not to make such appointments directly without the approval of the competent authority. There is no mention of any kind of ban on the appointments. Instead the circular reads that any contractual, seasonal and adhoc appointments made without the competent authority shall cease to continue.
”The orders issued vide Government Order No. 43-F of 2015 dated 17-03-2015 read with corrigendum issued vide No. A/Misc/2015/391 dated 20-03-2015 regarding the withdrawal of powers from Administrative Secretaries to engage Casual laborers, shall continue to remain in force.
Any person appointed on adhoc/ contractual/ consolidated/ temporary basis after the imposition of ban on such engagements (i,e on or after 29-04-2010 ) in contravention of the provisions of the Act shall forthwith cease to continue.
- any person engaged as Casual / seasonal/ need basis worker after imposition of ban on such engagements) i, e on or after 17-03-2015) without specific approval of Competent Authority or without following due procedure shall also cease to continue forthwith.” reads the order.
While asking to go through the circular minutely the officer said that there was no mention of ban of appointments. He said the only thing the government wanted to clear is that the approval of the competent authority was must for such appointments and any such appointments made from 2015 without the approval of the competent authority would be terminated.
