The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) is under intense scrutiny for declaring results of exams conducted by MeritTrac, a firm blacklisted by the Board in August 2023 and under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Controversial Exam Results
The results for the Junior Legal Assistant and Legal Assistant exams, conducted in March 2022, were announced almost two years later, triggering widespread outrage. MeritTrac, the firm responsible for organizing these exams, has been implicated in a major recruitment scam involving the J&K Police Sub-Inspector exams.
The CBI has charged 24 individuals, including personnel from the BSF, CRPF, and J&K Police, accusing MeritTrac of leaking question papers and tampering with exam processes. A chargesheet filed in December 2023 highlighted MeritTrac’s alleged involvement in manipulating several recruitment exams conducted by JKSSB.
Despite these allegations, JKSSB proceeded with the announcement of results for the Junior Legal Assistant and Legal Assistant exams. This decision has been heavily criticized by political leaders, aspirants, and the public.
Political and Public Outrage
Waheed Ur Rehman Para, a PDP leader and MLA from Pulwama, took to social media to question JKSSB’s actions.
“MeritTrac, blacklisted and under CBI investigation, conducted exams in 2022, yet these results were declared. Why weren’t these exams canceled? Was CBI consulted?” he tweeted, expressing concern over the impact on Kashmir’s youth.
His statements resonated with many, sparking a broader debate about accountability and fairness in the recruitment process.
JKSSB’s Defense
According to JKSSB’s minutes from its 239th board meeting, the results were delayed due to legal challenges, including a petition filed before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). This petition was dismissed in May 2023, paving the way for the results to be declared.
The Board claimed it acted on the General Administration Department’s (GAD) approval and directions, noting that MeritTrac’s blacklisting was specific to the J&K Police Sub-Inspector recruitment exams, not the exams in question.
JKSSB justified its decision by stating that there were no further legal barriers preventing the announcement of results.
Demand for Cancellation
Despite JKSSB’s explanation, aspirants and critics argue that the ongoing CBI investigation and the blacklisting of MeritTrac warrant a thorough review of the recruitment process. Many are calling for the results to be canceled and the exams to be re-evaluated to restore faith in the recruitment system.
Broader Implications
This controversy has become a focal point in discussions about transparency and accountability in public recruitment processes in Jammu and Kashmir. It also raises questions about the reliance on firms with questionable track records and the adequacy of safeguards against corruption in such critical examinations.
The JKSSB’s decision has not only intensified public discontent but also placed the integrity of the region’s recruitment system under a cloud of suspicion.