The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has officially extended the timeline for administrative departments to issue recruitment rules through executive orders. This decision allows departments six additional months to finalize and revise their recruitment rules, ensuring better governance and streamlined hiring processes.

Government Order Details : Notifying method of recruitment through Executive Orders-regarding

The extension has been authorized under Government Order No. 1998-JK(GAD) of 2024, dated 28th November 2024. This order builds upon a previous directive, Government Order No. 635-JK(GAD) of 2024, issued on 16th February 2024, which initially permitted the use of executive orders for addressing gaps in recruitment rules.

This provision was introduced to tackle situations where:

1. Existing recruitment rules are outdated or insufficient.
2. No formal recruitment rules exist for critical posts.

Under this framework, administrative departments were allowed to act on these orders as a one-time exemption, with the condition that recruitment rules must be finalized within six months. However, the limited timeframe and procedural complexities led to this recent extension.

JK Government
Order | Extension Granted For Recruitment Rules Through Executive Orders

JK Government Order Copy

Guidelines for Executive Orders

To ensure accountability, the ARI & Trainings Department issued comprehensive guidelines and a checklist under Government Order No. 25-JK(ARI & Trgs) of 2024, dated 21st June 2024. These guidelines mandated that administrative departments:

• Obtain prior concurrence from both the ARI & Trainings Department and the Law Department.
• Provide proper justifications for proposals submitted for the Competent Authority’s approval.

Despite these guidelines, the remaining time for departments to finalize their recruitment rules proved insufficient, necessitating an extension.

Reasons for Extension

The Competent Authority carefully considered the administrative challenges faced by departments. Key reasons for the extension include:

1. Reduced timeframe: Initial procedural delays and the introduction of new guidelines left departments with little time to complete the required tasks.
2. Critical importance of posts: Filling vacancies for crucial positions demanded immediate attention through interim measures.
3. Structured governance: The extension ensures smoother implementation of recruitment processes while adhering to governance standards.

Read also: Starting a Business in Jammu & Kashmir with PMEGP Scheme: Full Details Inside

Terms of the Extended Period

The extended timeframe allows administrative departments to:

• Notify recruitment rules through executive orders until mid-2025.
• Expedite the formulation or revision of permanent recruitment rules.

However, the government has clarified that this extension is not a substitute for the establishment of regular recruitment rules. Departments must:

1. Complete their recruitment rules within the stipulated timeframe.
2. Treat this extension as a one-time measure, as no further extensions will be granted.

Impact of the Extension

Streamlined Recruitment Processes

By allowing temporary reliance on executive orders, the government ensures that critical vacancies are filled without undue delays. This step is especially vital for departments managing key administrative or developmental responsibilities.

Read also: Top 10 Business Ideas In Jammu & Kashmir

Enhanced Accountability

The mandate to involve the ARI & Trainings and Law Departments adds an additional layer of scrutiny, reducing the possibility of arbitrary decisions. These checks and balances ensure the recruitment processes remain transparent and efficient.

Encouragement for Policy Finalization

While the extension provides temporary relief, it also pushes departments to expedite their work on framing comprehensive recruitment policies. This dual approach balances immediate needs with long-term governance goals.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to extend the timeline for notifying recruitment rules through executive orders reflects its commitment to addressing administrative challenges while maintaining procedural integrity. This extension provides much-needed flexibility to departments while reinforcing the importance of formulating regular recruitment rules within a time-bound framework.

As this marks the final extension, departments are urged to act promptly and finalize their recruitment rules to ensure seamless governance in the future.