Jammu, April 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday distributed appointment letters to 124 beneficiaries from the Jammu division under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS), urging officials to expedite the process and introduce reforms to ensure transparency and timely delivery.
The appointments, made under SRO-43 and SRO-94, were handed over at the Convention Centre in Jammu, where the Chief Minister emphasized that compassionate appointments must not be delayed and called for identifying gaps in the existing system.
Addressing the gathering, he acknowledged the hardships faced by beneficiaries due to procedural delays, noting that while revisions to SRO-43 were intended to accelerate appointments, certain shortcomings had emerged during implementation. He stressed the need for further improvements to ensure swift and efficient processing.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to refining the scheme, stating that delays in appointments defeat the purpose of providing timely relief to affected families. He assured that necessary corrective measures would be undertaken to prevent such lapses in the future.
In an emotional address, he highlighted the unique circumstances surrounding compassionate appointments, noting that such employment comes in the wake of personal loss. He said the government stands in solidarity with the families and chose to personally hand over the appointment letters as a gesture of empathy.
Encouraging the appointees, he urged them to serve with dedication and integrity, emphasizing their role in addressing public grievances, particularly in remote areas where many of them belong.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said that while no measure can compensate for the loss of a loved one, such appointments aim to provide immediate relief and emotional support to bereaved families.
Senior officials, including Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department M. Raju, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, and Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas, were present on the occasion, along with the appointees and their family members.
