Government trashes Times of India report

Research Officer appointed through proper selection process on merit: SKICC

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 04-Mar-2017

Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) Saturday refuted the “baseless news” published by Indian Daily ‘Times of India’ about the recruitment of one candidate as 'Research Officer' in SKICC.In a statement to news agency CNS, SKICC Spokesperson said that, “SKICC being an autonomous convention promotion society needed a candidate for which the proper advertisement was published through information Department on 3-10-2016 which appeared in the prominent local dailies Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, and Rising Kashmir.”“On 5th of October, 196 candidates applied for the post and 35 got shortlisted subsequently the notification was published on 1st of November 2016 and the said shortlisted 35 candidates were called for an interview on 5th of November 2016, in which only 32 appeared for the interview that was done by a proper selection committee following all the procedures and rules of SKICC. Thus one candidate namely Anees Shah was qualified for the said post who had the required qualifications and experience for the said job. His name was sent for the CID verification which is mandatory after the selection for any candidate,” the spokesperson added. The spokesperson added that this post was lying vacant and there is no question of any creation of any post or any influence in this matter.

Meanwhile, Director SKICC, in another statement said that an advertisement notification No: 01-SKICC of 2016 dated: 03.10.2016, was issued by SKICC for the appointment against one post of Research Officer in the open merit category. “The advertisement notice was issued through the Department of Information and the same was published in leading newspapers of the State,” it said.“The requisite educational/professional qualification for the post of Research Officer in the organization is MBA from any recognized university/institution,” it said adding that SKICC being a Society, headed by the Governing Body, has its own recruitment rules, which do not provide for referring the vacancies to the recruiting agencies like J&K Public Service Commission and J&K Services Selection Board.The statement said that in response to the advertisement notice, the SKICC received 196 applications and for the purpose of short-listing of candidates, it was decided that the applicants, who had secured 75% and above marks in the MBA be called for interview/viva voce. “A panel of the officers was accordingly constituted for conducting the interview of the shortlisted candidates and the interviews were conducted on 05.11.2016 at SKICC, Srinagar,” it said adding that out of 196 applicants, who had applied for the said post, 35 candidates, who had secured the requisite qualifying marks or above in MBA, were called for interview and only 32 candidates appeared in the interview on the said date.

According to the statement, the Selection Committee finalized the selection list for the post of Research Officer on the basis of merit and following the set criteria and guidelines governing the recruitment in SKICC.In terms of the set criteria, the merit list was drawn by the Selection Committee and submitted to the competent authority for approval for appointment of the suitable candidate, who secured 1st position in order of merit,” the statement said adding that the select list was issued on 30.11.2016 and accordingly, Anees-ul-Islam, the 1st position holder in order of merit, was appointed against the said post. It said the CID wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police has also given satisfactory/non-involvement report in favor of the selected candidate.Pertinently, Srinagar based Times of India correspondent in his report while quoting sources had claimed that Anees-ul-Islam, the grandson of pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Geelani was appointed Research Officer in Sher-e-Kashmir international convection complex (SKICC), flouting all rules of recruitment policy of the state government. (CNS)