Volte face? Now, J&K and Ladakh to have joint civil services cadres

Srinagar, Dec 21: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh union territory will now have joint cadres for three services of J&K Administrative Service (JKAS), J&K Police Service (JKPS) and J&K Forest Service (JKFS).

An official notification issued in this regards reads as –  “In exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India read with section 89 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 and in partial modification of any notification issued on the subject, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is pleased to direct that there shall be ‘Joint Services/Cadres’ of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Service (JKPS) and Jammu and Kashmir Forest (Gazetted) Service for Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh, pending final decision regarding separate feeder cadres for the respective Services in the Union territory of Ladakh by the competent authority”.

The notification further states – “consequent thereto, promotion of the members of these services shall be effected in terms of the combined seniority/strength of the service against the total posts of these cadres allocated to Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh. This issues in consultation with the Administration of Union territory of Ladakh”.