Srinagar: Aijaz Dar (name changed) had given up hopes of appearing in the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) after he crossed the age limit of 32 years.
Hopes rekindled when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced to increase the age limit.
“This is a welcome decision as we had given several representations to the government in this regard. We are thankful to the J&K administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for giving us a chance to appear for the JKCCEE. This is a youth-friendly decision and comes across as a blessing for the unemployed youth,” Aijaz said.
He made the comments a day after the Lieutenant Governor approved age relaxation in the upper age limit for the ensuing JKCCE.
The upper age limit for open merit candidates will be now 35 years instead of 32 years, for reserved category and in-service candidates 37 years instead of 34 years and 38 years for physically challenged candidates.
“The Government understands the aspirations of youth and a decision has been taken to ensure JKCCE exams are conducted on a regular basis unlike the past when these exams were held irregularly after a gap of many years,” the Lt Governor had said in a tweet on Tuesday after making the announcement.
The age relaxation for the JKCEE aspirants was welcomed by other quarters too including the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA).
JKSA national spokesperson Nasir Khuehami too said the announcement was ‘youth friendly’ and would provide great relief to the unemployed.
“We express our gratitude and sincere thanks to Lieutenant Governor for taking the matter seriously and resolving it on a priority basis. It is a youth-friendly decision that was genuine demand of aspirants and will provide great relief to the unemployed youth of J&K Union Territory. The decision was need of the moment given the incessant earnest demand from aspirants,” said Khuehami.
“The decision has brought great relief to aspirants. Aspirants have been incessantly requesting the Lieutenant Governor Administration relaxation in the upper age limit of JKCCE. Association also highlighted and vigorously pursued the matter with the J&K government and today that it yielded desired results,” he added.
JKSA’s additional spokesperson Umar Jamal said the decision had come across as a ‘sigh of relief.
“Lieutenant Governor administration has paid its valuable attention towards the JKCCE Aspirants. In tough times, this decision is a welcome and appreciable step. The move comes as a big sigh of relief for people during these tough times of competition. It will roller skate many disappointed aspirants into hope and put them on to a better life and usefulness to the society,” he said.
