Outsourcing model PDP’s brainchild, NC not responsible: J&K minister Sakina Itoo
Srinagar, June 21: Jammu and Kashmir minister Sakina Itoo on Sunday pushed back against opposition criticism over outsourcing of government jobs, asserting that the model was introduced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and not the National Conference (NC)-led administration.
Responding to allegations of backdoor appointments, minister Itoo said the current government cannot be held accountable for a system it did not create.
“Outsource is not the donation of this National Conference. It is the donation of the PDP. They have introduced outsource here. And if you want to do an inquiry, inquire about what was done 10 years ago,” Itoo said on the sidelines of the International Yoga Day event at SKICC.
The minister also pointed to financial irregularities during the PDP’s previous tenure, alleging that unqualified individuals had been appointed to key positions in state-run institutions.
“The people who used to wash clothes, today they are sitting on the chair of the bank manager. They do not even have a metric. They will teach us today what procedure they want to adopt,” she said, referring to alleged scams in the bank and Khadi Village Industries Board.
Minister Itoo said she had raised the issue of outsourcing quality directly with the Union government, advocating for permanent recruitment instead.
“I said that we do not get any quality from outsourcing. It would be better if you give us money for permanent, 500 or 1000. First of all, the children can get a proper job, and secondly, they can get a proper procedure,” she stated.
The minister accused the opposition of misleading the public on employment matters, adding that her political detractors had “become used to lying. They lie at every level. To hide their sins. To cover up their mistakes.”
Taking a sharp dig at the PDP over the abrogation of Article 370, minister Itoo held the party responsible for the current political and economic challenges in the Union Territory.
“Today if we are in trouble, we do not have U.T. We do not have special status. We do not have everything. Land guarantees. Today people are dying. Today people are facing problems with land. Today people are not getting jobs. If someone has done a favor to them, it is done by them. And today they will show mercy to us,” she said.
She dared the opposition to initiate a probe into the past, asserting that her government had nothing to hide.
“Do not mislead people like this. I say, go from where you have to do it. Do an inquiry. We do not care,” Itoo added. (KNS)
