Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday re-appointed former chief secretary BR Sharma as chairman of the Public Service Commission.The fresh order for appointing Sharma as head of the PSC was issued after Centre gave its green signal for the appointment. “In exercise of powers conferred by section 93 of Jammu & Kashmir Re-organisation Act, 2019 and S.0. 3937 (E) dated 3Ist October 2019, read with order issued in terms of sub clause(i) of clause (C ) of the proclamation issued by the President dated 3Ist October 2019, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is pleased to appoint B.R. Sharma, AS,(retd.), as chairman Public Service Commission for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads a notification issued by the General Administration Department.Sharma shall hold the position of PSC chairman till he attains age of 62 years, the order, a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), further states.The government had rescinded May 5 notification appointing Sharma as head of the PSC after Centre raised objections over it, following which J&K authorities wrote to the Department of Personnel and Trainings(DOPT) to relieve him of the charge he was holding at New Delhi.Sharma, who served as Chief Secretary of J&K, proceeded on central deputation in 2017 after he was replaced by BB Vyas as CS.
During his stint at New Delhi, Sharma served additional secretary, MHA, secretary (border management) MHA and chairman Staff Selection Commission. He was also given two-year extension beyond April 30, 2020 when he attained superannuation.This is for the first time when PSC head has been appointed under the provisions of Constitution of India whose all provisions were made applicable to J&K on August 5 last year.Under the Constitution of India, chairman and members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of six years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of sixty-two years, whichever is earlier.However, under the J&K Constitution, chairman and member of the commission were empowered to hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.The PSC was functioning without chairman and members from October 31, 2019 when Jammu & Kashmir got divided into two Union Territories. Citing the J&K Re- Organisation (Removal of Difficulties) Order 2019, the government in November last year ordered that chairman and members of PSC shall cease to function from October 31.
The PSC is mandated to conduct recruitment for prestigious gazette services including Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS), Kashmir Police Service (KPS) and other coveted services –(KNO)