SRINAGAR, SEPT 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday distributed appointment orders to 55 newly selected candidates of the Combined Competitive Examination, marking their entry into the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and J&K Accounts (Gazetted) Service.
The appointment orders were handed over at a function held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), where 28 candidates joined the Junior Scale of JKAS and 27 were appointed as Accounts Officers in the J&K Accounts (Gazetted) Service.
Ministers Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, M. Raju, senior GAD officers, the newly appointed officers and their parents attended the ceremony.
Congratulating the officers and their families, Omar Abdullah said their selection reflected years of effort, perseverance and sacrifice, but cautioned them against viewing the appointment as the culmination of their journey.
“Receiving your appointment orders is not the destination of your journey but a new beginning,” the Chief Minister said, asking the officers to consider how they wanted to be remembered after completing their careers.
He urged them to build their professional lives on competence, honesty and hard work, stressing that public servants are remembered not simply for the positions they occupy but for the difference they make in the lives of ordinary people.
The Chief Minister called upon the young officers to maintain integrity and ensure that their conduct in public service earns them the respect and trust of the people.
Drawing attention to the human dimension of administration, Omar said every government file, application and complaint represents the story of a person. Even when a grievance may not be fully justified, he said, there is usually a reason behind it that officers must understand.
He urged the officers to approach public grievances with sensitivity and a genuine willingness to resolve people’s problems.
“Don’t keep postings and promotions in mind. Just think that you have got a chance which very few people get,” Omar said, advising them to focus on the responsibility and opportunity that comes with joining the civil services rather than merely pursuing career advancement.
The Chief Minister also asked the young officers to prepare for the rapidly changing challenges Jammu and Kashmir is likely to face over the next two decades.
He specifically highlighted education, cleaner and more liveable cities, climate change and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence as areas that would increasingly shape governance.
He said the nature of governance and societal challenges could change substantially over the next 10 to 20 years, making it essential for the new generation of civil servants to remain adaptable, innovative and committed to public service.
Omar assured the newly appointed officers that the Government would provide all possible support to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively and overcome professional challenges.
“You will be in the service. You have to take advantage of that stability and assurance and think about how you would like to see Jammu and Kashmir at the end of your service,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the officers would live up to the expectations of their parents, families and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Wishing them success, Omar urged the new officers to consistently choose the right path, even when doing so was difficult.“Make the right decision and serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
