Kashmir

Will Guv rule ensure completion of probe into KVIB?

Srinagar, June 19: With the end of the BJP-PDP coalition government, it will be interesting to see whether the Governor rule will ensure completion of probe into the selections made by the JK’s Khadi Village and Industries Board (KVIB) for various posts.

On February 25, the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had ordered a high-level enquiry into the procedural inadequacies in the selection process of the KVIB. However, formal orders were issued on March 28.

She had ordered the probe following severe criticism over the appointment of her own nephew Aroot Madni (37), son of ruling PDP vice-president Sartaj Madni, as an executive officer in the board.

The enquiry is being carried by the three member panel headed R K Goyal, Principal Secretary Home Department. Its members include Dr Pawal Kotwal, Principal Secretary Government Health and Medical Education Department and Farooq Ahmad Shah, Secretary School Education Department.

However, the committee has missed two deadlines so far and is yet to complete the probe. The committee was given a month’s time to submit report within a month.
Following which the government extended a month time period for completion of the enquiry that ended on May 27.

An official of the General Administration Department said that the committee was yet to submit the report. “As the Governor Rule is likely to be imposed, it will be interesting to see how the probe is completed at the earliest without any further delay,” the official said.

“We hope there is no political interference and probe is completed at the earliest.”

The KVIB had issued an advertisement against vacancies on October 8, 2016.

Shortlisted candidates took a written test in August 2017, and interviews for the position began in the last week of January.

The selection process was conducted by a private recruitment agency instead of the J&K Service Selection and Recruitment Board (JKSRB). The former Chief Minister’s nephew declined to accept the employment offer from the board following the controversy generated by his appointment.

Opposition National Conference had launched a scathing attack on the PDP over alleged nepotism and malpractice in the selection of candidates. “The KVIB list is full of appointments made on the basis of relations and affiliations to the CM’s family and party. Withdrawal of application by Sartaj Madni’s son does not end the case but indicates he would not have been able to stand the scrutiny of a probe,” the party had said.

The PDP had termed the selection as fair, and Sartaj Madni himself had questioned whether or not the sons of politicians deserved a chance to seek employment and livelihood.

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