SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has faced sharp criticism after appointing retired officer Bashir Ahmed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, in clear violation of the re-employment ban announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last year.
According to Government Order No. 1424-JK(GAD) of 2025, dated November 3, Ahmed has been appointed on a one-year contractual basis, terminable with one month’s notice or co-terminus with the Speaker’s tenure, whichever is earlier. He will receive his last drawn pay before retirement, minus pension, along with applicable allowances including leave, travel, and house rent allowance for temporary government employees.
This is the second instance of reappointing a retired official under the current administration. In April, the government had similarly appointed retired JKAS officer Mushtaq Ahmad Rather as a tourism department consultant on a one-year contract.
The decision has drawn criticism from political circles. J&K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur described the move as “insensitive and anti-youth,” highlighting the ongoing unemployment crisis among educated young people in the Union Territory. He said, “Instead of creating opportunities for the younger generation, the government is indulging in comfort appointments, exposing its disconnect from ground realities.”
Former Srinagar mayor Junaid Mattu also criticised the appointment, quipping that “apparently this is what they meant when they said they would create jobs.” The backlash comes amid the National Conference’s election promise to generate one lakh jobs in J&K.
The reappointment of Bashir Ahmed raises questions about the administration’s commitment to youth employment and transparent recruitment processes, especially given the clear directive issued by CM Omar Abdullah in December 2024 banning re-employment, service extensions, and additional charges for retired officials.