J&K ACB registers case over irregularities in selection process of F&ES Department
SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case concerning alleged irregularities in the selection process for Fireman and Fireman Driver posts in the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Department.
The investigation follows a communication from the General Administration Department (GAD) dated July 24, 2024, accompanied by a report from an inquiry committee constituted by the government.
The committee recommended a criminal investigation into allegations of paper leaks and other discrepancies.
The matter dates back to 2013 when the Departmental Recruitment Board (DRB) issued Advertisement Notice No. 01 of 2013 for various posts, including Fireman and Fireman Drivers.
However, discrepancies led to the termination of the process in 2016 through Government Order No. 381-Home of 2016. In 2018, the recruitment process was revived under the same advertisement following directions from the J&K High Court.
The Transparent Recruitment Process (TRP) was engaged through an open bid system, with M/s Timing Technologies India Pvt. Ltd conducting physical and written tests.
Following allegations of mass copying, the government canceled the written examination in 2019 and directed the replacement of the TRP agency.
Subsequently, in 2020, a fresh e-NIT was issued to invite tenders for a new TRP agency. While M/s UMC Technology Pvt. Ltd Kolkata emerged as the lowest bidder (L-1), the contract was awarded to M/s LMES IT LLP, Jammu (L-2), despite the firm not meeting the eligibility criteria.
This decision violated Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines, which mandate negotiations with L-1 bidders or re-tendering in cases of non-compliance.
The subsequent recruitment process revealed glaring irregularities. Instances of favoritism in awarding contracts, manipulation of OMR sheets, and the inclusion of candidates who did not meet the cutoff marks were uncovered.
For example, candidates who actually scored 11, 17, and 24 marks were falsely shown to have scored 90 marks each. Additionally, multiple candidates from the same families and localities were selected, raising further concerns.
The probe identified abuses of official positions by DRB members, technical committee officials, and officers of the F&ES department, who allegedly colluded with M/s LMES IT LLP and its partner, Maharaj Krishan Wali.
The case involves violations under sections 7, 13(1)(a), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), and sections 120-B, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC.
An FIR (No. 01/2025) has been registered in Police Station ACB Central, and further investigations are underway. — (KIMS)
