Avinash Azad
In a stark reminder of the deep-rooted political patronage and nepotism that has plagued Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative machinery for decades, the government has re-employed, reportedly, a close relative of Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather—just four days after his retirement—while millions of educated youth remain unemployed amid a long-drawn recruitment freeze.
Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, a retired JKAS officer and alleged kin of the Speaker, was re-appointed as a Consultant in the J&K Tourism Department on April 4, 2025—merely 96 hours after retiring as Programme Officer, ICDS Project, Srinagar on March 31.
This lightning-speed re-employment has sparked massive public outrage, with netizens flooding social media timelines with screenshots of his retirement notification and the re-engagement order, accusing the Omar Abdullah-led government of perpetuating a culture of elite privilege in public employment.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the engagement of Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, JKAS (Rtd.) as Consultant in the Tourism Department, on contractual basis…” — reads Government Order No. 440-JK(GAD) of 2025.
Unemployment: The Boiling Crisis
The reappointment has added fuel to a simmering fire in Jammu and Kashmir, where millions of qualified, unemployed youth are battling despair amid no fresh recruitments in multiple departments for years.
While the government claims a marginal dip in unemployment—from 6.7% in 2019-20 to 6.1% in 2023-24—the visible reality on the ground tells a story of hopelessness, stalled recruitment drives, and delayed selection lists. On March 3, in a written response to MLA Sajad Gani Lone, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah admitted that 32,474 vacancies exist in various departments as of January 31, 2025. And yet, plum consultancy roles are being handed out to retired officers—mostly those with political backing.
Backdoor Beneficiaries Now Running the Show
This is not an isolated case. Over the years, dozens of backdoor appointees, many recruited in questionable circumstances under past governments, have steadily risen through the ranks. Today, some of these individuals occupy top administrative positions, reinforcing a power structure that benefits the well-connected while marginalizing deserving, meritorious candidates. “This isn’t just about one post. It’s about an entire system that sidelines youth and rewards loyalty to power,” said a job aspirant who has been waiting for a selection list for three years.
Government Silent, Netizens Loud
Despite mounting public anger, the government has not issued a single clarification on the Rather appointment or refuted the claims going viral online. Critics argue that the silence speaks volumes, especially at a time when transparency in governance is paramount.
