
05/08/2025
Open Letter to the Hon’ble LG of Jammu & Kashmir: A Plea to Protect the Future of 40,000 Medical Assistants/Pharmacist
To
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Raj Bhavan, Srinagar/Jammu
Subject: Urgent Appeal Regarding Eligibility Issue and Injustice with 40,000 Medical Assistants/Pharmacist in JKSSB Recruitment Advertisement No. 07 of 2025, Dated 29/07/2025
Respected Sir,
We are truly grateful to you for your commendable role during the passing of the Medical Assistant/Pharmacist Bill in the Parliament of India. Your active support and leadership played a key role in ensuring that the long-pending demand of recognizing Medical Assistants/Pharmacist as pharmacists was finally fulfilled. The day the Bill was signed by the Hon’ble President of India gave us a renewed sense of dignity, recognition, and hope. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us at that crucial time.
Today, we once again turn to your kind attention, as we face a serious concern regarding our future.
The Health and Medical Education Department has released JKSSB Recruitment Advertisement No. 07 of 2025, dated 29/07/2025, which has excluded Medical Assistants/Pharmacist from eligibility for Junior Pharmacist posts, despite our qualifications and previous eligibility under law.
This move by certain officials is deeply unjust and contradicts:
The Pharmacy Act, 1948, under which we are registered pharmacists.
Previous recruitment notifications where Medical Assistants/Pharmacist were always eligible.
Government orders like 456-JK(HME) of 2023, 457-JK(HME) of 2023, and SO 192 of 2020 that clearly mention our eligibility.
The Medical Assistant/Pharmacist Course Amendment Bill (27 July 2023).
The official directive from SPM-GMC Srinagar (Order No. 27722-2725, dated 10/08/2023) affirming our eligibility.
This sudden and unjust exclusion is affecting over 40,000 trained Medical Assistants/Pharmacist across J&K. Most of us come from humble families who have sacrificed for our education with the hope of a stable government career. This decision has brought disappointment, frustration, and fear for the future.
We humbly request your intervention to:
1. Review and revise the current eligibility criteria in the said advertisement in accordance with the latest government policies.
2. Ensure proper implementation of recruitment rules, aligning with the spirit of the Medical Assistant/Pharmacist Bill and related government orders.
3. Secure the career and dignity of 40,000 Medical Assistants/Pharmacist who are qualified, trained, and capable of serving in the health sector.
We trust your leadership and believe that you will once again stand with us and ensure that justice prevails.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours faithfully,
Medical Assistant Pharmacist Association
Jammu & Kashmir