The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notices to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Ladakh Administration, seeking their response to a plea regarding the lack of recruitment for gazetted posts in Ladakh over the last five years.
The court took suo moto cognizance of a letter circulating on social media, addressed to the Chief Justice, which called for intervention concerning the non-recruitment for these key government positions. The letter highlighted the distress and uncertainty educated youth in Ladakh faced, attributing their plight to the authorities’ inaction.
“The youth are eagerly waiting for opportunities to contribute to the governance and development of the region,” the letter stated, adding that the failure to recruit for gazetted cadre positions violates principles of natural justice and breaches Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality and fairness in public employment.
A Division Bench, comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Puneet Gupta, directed that UPSC, through its Chairman, and the Union Territory of Ladakh, through its Chief Secretary, be included as respondents in the petition. The Court has instructed the Registry to prepare and serve notices to the relevant officials, requiring a response within six weeks.
Additionally, the Court ordered the publication of its ruling in both print and electronic media in Ladakh, ensuring that aspirants are informed. Article 320 of the Constitution, which mandates the duty of the Public Service Commissions to conduct examinations for government appointments, was also cited in the Court’s order.
