KV Correspondent

Editorial: Un-listing corruption 

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Srinagar: Yet another selection list of candidates selected for various positions in the Khadi Village and Industries Board (KVIB) and Social Welfare Department have come under the shadow of corruption and nepotism. The issue proved to be so grave that the Chief Minister had to announce a high level inquiry into selection of her close relative for a top post in the organization.

The Chief Secretary B B Vyas-led committee has been asked to probe the selection marred with procedural inadequacies and furnish the report in a short time. The issue surfaced after Syed ArootMadni son of SartajMadni, who is maternal uncle of Mehbooba, was selected as executive officer in the KVIB.

It was after a whistle blower official, who is the secretary in the Law Department, Abdul Majid Bhat, and who also acted as the controller of the KVIB recruitment examination sought an in-depth verification on complaints that the examination was not held in a fair manner. His claim was substantiated by some apprehensions expressed by secretary industries and commerce also. The tests had been outsourced to a private recruiting agency.

Even the marks distribution for written examination, interview and experience was 60:30:10 respectively had also come under question.

As per the procedure followed by state’s own recruitment agencies, only 20 marks are kept for the interview. But there were 30 marks for the executive officers posts at the interview stage.

All these point out to various grave irregularities in selections which ultimately led to a major embarrassment for the government as well.  Though the Chief Minister too was very upset over such developments, she even expressed her annoyance with the people who have come under question.

Though the junior Madni, who is also cousin of the Chief Minister, declined to take the job, but it does not absolve him and those officials who made it possible to flout rules and norms. Therefore, an inquiry and a fair one-seems the only answer to let the facts surface and control the unbridled corruption hawks that have been let loose in the state.

While the government is under fire from opposition over the fraudulent selection of junior Madni, some close relatives of PDP leaders have figured in a fresh selection list issued by social welfare department.

Those selected include RufiadaMansoor, daughter of PDP’s general secretary and Vice Chairman KVIB Peer MansoorHussain and Sahara Sayeed, daughter of Muhammad Sayeed Khan, brother-in-law of SartajMadni.

Both have been selected for the posts of Health and Nutrition Mobilizers under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).

The Social Welfare department is not new to allegations of favoritism and corruption. The department has been engaged in hiring tainted consultants and close associates of the incumbent minister to hold key positions and projects.

Hence, the claim of the opposition that a High Court Investigation into the selection is the only answer to these bungling so as to wash away the allegations of fraud and nepotism.

 


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

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