Governor Malik Drops Another Bombshell, ‘Corrupt Officials Keeping Businessmen Away From J&K’

Jammu, Feb 2:Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has again stirred the Hornet’s nest by stating that no one is ready to invest in Jammu and Kashmir as businessmen are asked to pay commission upto 12 to 13 percent for setting up any industry in the state.

Addressing a Kissan mela at Jourian here on Thursday Governor said, “I had met some businessmen and industrialists in Delhi and requested them to invest in J&K but they denied saying there is rampant corruption in the state. These businessmen told me that for investing in other states, they need to pay commission up to 3 percent but in Jammu and Kashmir they’re asked to pay commission up to 12 to 13 percent. They asked me why they would invest in J&K. I felt embarrassed when they told me that chances of setting up industries in the state are poor as there are fixed rates for everything.”

Governor Malik’s recent statement has vindicated those businessmen and entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir who have been claiming that bureaucrats and other officials have made doing business impossible in the state. “You cannot get any of your work done without greasing the palms of the officials. It takes months to pass a file from one table to another,” said a businessman.

He said that the Governor Malik has acknowledged that there is “rampant corruption” prevailing in the system. “The Governor Malik should take stern action against the corrupt officials to send a clear message to all that corrupt practices won’t be tolerated,” the businessman added.

He alleged that the bureaucrats and the officials, who have been enjoying the patronage, of the politicians have turned into “monarchs” and treat entire state as their “fiefdom.” “They know that they can get away with anything and they would never be questioned. They believe that they are above the law and they enjoy impunity. It seems that they too are laced with AFSPA,” the businessman added.

An analyst said that Governor Malik has understood the system very well and is even aware about the names of the officials, who are involved in corrupt practices. “Even the anti-graft agencies have prepared a list of the officials and the bureaucrats, who have acquired assets disproportionate to their sources of income. But these people are so influential that they have got away with everything. This time Jammu and Kashmir is being directly ruled by the Centre and it’s a golden opportunity for the Governor’s administration to prepare a dossier and act against the elements, who are not allowing business and industries to flourish in the state,” he added.