JKSSB Collects Over ₹6.43 Cr in Fees for 75 Naib Tehsildar Posts, Recruitment Deferred
Jammu, Aug 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) has collected over ₹6.43 crore in application fees for just 75 Naib Tehsildar posts, according to information revealed through an RTI query. With fees set at ₹600 for general and ₹500 for reserved categories, the figures suggest that more than one lakh candidates applied.
RTI activist Raman Kumar Sharma, who sought the data, said the deferment of the recruitment last month has left aspirants uncertain. “The overwhelming response highlights the unemployment crisis, with thousands of educated youth competing for limited opportunities,” Sharma said.
JKSSB, while refusing to share category-wise application numbers until the selection process concludes, confirmed that ₹6,43,28,400 was collected in fees. Candidates, many from financially weak backgrounds, now face the loss of both money and opportunity, as the fee is non-refundable.
The recruitment had stirred controversy over the mandatory “Urdu-only” clause. The BJP opposed the rule, calling it discriminatory, while then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended it, saying revenue work is historically maintained in Urdu and staff must learn the basics to function effectively.
On July 14, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) stayed the Urdu clause in the 2009 recruitment rules. Reacting to this, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the judiciary was being swayed by divisive politics and maintained that Urdu’s role in revenue administration is rooted in efficiency, not discrimination.
