Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today formally distributed appointment orders under SRO-43 and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) to 90 beneficiaries from across Kashmir division at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
The appointments, made on compassionate grounds, aim to provide much-needed employment support to families who have lost their primary earning members, reaffirming the government’s commitment to stand firmly with such families in times of distress.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized that the government has made sincere efforts to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the people, particularly those who have endured personal tragedies.
He remarked that while securing a government job is a moment of great pride and happiness, the circumstances under which these appointments are granted are deeply painful for the candidates.
“Some people get government jobs through examinations and interviews. But you have made a sacrifice far greater than any test. You have lost someone precious, someone who is no longer with you,” he said, acknowledging the emotional weight carried by the beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister noted that no compensation can truly substitute the loss of a loved one, adding that if there would ever be a choice to make, no one would ever choose employment over the return of a departed family member.
Highlighting systemic reforms, the Chief Minister stated that the transition from SRO-43 to the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme was aimed at addressing structural shortcomings and improving efficiency.
He acknowledged delays in processing such cases and assured that further efforts would be made to remove bottlenecks.
“Even today, there are gaps in the system which we will try to remove. We understand that delays in clearances and procedures add to your hardship. We will make every effort to simplify and expedite this process,” he said.
Describing the situation faced by beneficiaries as a colossal loss, the Chief Minister stressed that forcing affected families to navigate cumbersome procedures would amount to injustice.
“After such a loss, if people are made to move from office to office, it is a grave injustice. We are committed to ending this,” he asserted.
Congratulating the appointees, the Chief Minister described the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter in their lives and urged them to dedicate themselves to public service with honesty and integrity.
He reminded them that, unlike elected representatives whose tenure depends on public mandate, government employees have a long-term responsibility to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“From today till your retirement, you will serve the people. Always choose the difficult but correct path over the easy one,” he advised.
He cautioned the new recruits against external influences and urged them to remain vigilant and committed to ethical conduct in their professional roles.
Reiterating the government’s supportive stance, the Chief Minister encouraged beneficiaries to reach out to concerned authorities in case of any difficulty, assuring that their concerns would be addressed promptly.
Invoking faith and hope, he prayed for their success in fulfilling their responsibilities.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Divisional Administration, particularly the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and his team, for facilitating the issuance of appointment orders and expressed hope that pending cases would be cleared expeditiously.
The event was attended by Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar, Minister Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department M. Raju, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner SMC Fazlul Haseeb, MD KPDCL Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director SKICC Haris Ahmed Handoo, Director Tourism Kashmir Qamar Sajad, other senior officers, and a large gathering of beneficiaries along with their families.