CM Omar Abdullah calls for overhaul of Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme; hands over 124 job letters

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to compassionate governance, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday stressed the need to fast-track reforms in the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) to plug existing gaps and ensure timely appointments for deserving families.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while distributing appointment letters to 124 beneficiaries from Jammu division under RAS, SRO-43 and SRO-94 marking a significant step towards addressing long-pending cases.

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Acknowledging the hardships faced by applicants due to procedural delays, he noted that while the revision of SRO-43 aimed at speeding up the process, certain shortcomings have surfaced during its implementation, necessitating further reforms.

“We are aware of the difficulties you have gone through and also that the process took longer than it should have. There is a need to make further changes in the scheme so that appointments are completed swiftly and efficiently,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the government is committed to refining the scheme to ensure that such delays are minimized in future. “It should not happen that appointments meant to be made in previous years are delivered much later. We will identify the gaps and bring necessary improvements,” he assured.

In an emotional address to the appointees, the Chief Minister said that while government employment is usually a moment of joy, such appointments under RAS come after an irreplaceable personal loss.

“Getting a government job is often the happiest day in one’s life, but in your case, it comes after losing a loved one. The trauma you endure is far greater than any examination. In many ways, it is more difficult than clearing even the toughest competitive exams,” he said.

He said he chose to personally hand over the appointment letters to convey the government’s empathy and solidarity with the affected families. “We could have sent these orders to your homes, but I wanted to be here to assure you that the government stands with you in this difficult time,” he added.

Encouraging the appointees, the Chief Minister urged them to serve the people with dedication and integrity. He noted that many beneficiaries come from remote areas and understand the challenges faced by common people.

Reaffirming government support, he said, “My colleagues and I are always available. If you face any difficulty, do not hesitate to reach out. We will do our best to assist you.”