Jammu 28/Dec/2024 : The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu has instructed the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to allow 241 unemployed graduates, who have exceeded the age limit, to participate in the ongoing selection process for Police Sub-Inspector positions.
These graduates had filed an application seeking age relaxation. The directive was issued by a bench consisting of Member (Judicial) Rajinder Singh Dogra and Member (Administrative) Ram Mohan Johri, following arguments presented by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed and his team on behalf of the applicants.
According to the news Agency KNT , the tribunal recognized that the applicants had missed the chance to apply earlier due to delays by the Home Department in referring vacancies to the JKSSB, which resulted in the candidates becoming overaged.
Advocate Ahmed argued that the prolonged selection process, which spanned over three years, caused the applicants to exceed the age limit, even though they were eligible at the time of the previous selection process. He cited SRO-166 of 2005, which requires vacancies to be referred to the JKPSC/SSB by January 15 each year, a mandate that the Home Department failed to meet, further delaying recruitment.
The tribunal allowed the applicants to participate in the selection process, noting that their participation would be at their own risk and responsibility. Additionally, the results of their selection will be kept in a sealed cover until further orders from the tribunal.
This decision by the CAT is in line with a recent order from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, which also directed the JKSSB to permit candidates to participate in the selection process despite age issues, with the results to be held pending further legal review.
