Agencies
Srinagar, August 4:
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, on Sunday, lashed out at the government over a notice sent to her by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the scandal in the recruitments at Jammu &Kashmir Bank.
The former J&K chief minister Mufti has been asked by ACB to explain her position regarding the illegal recruitments in Jammu and Kashmir Bank. As per the ACB notice to Mufti, J&K Bank’s ousted chairman Parvez Ahmed made some appointments based on recommendations of “few ministers”. The notice asks Mufti to explain her position on the matter and clarify is she knew about the recruitments.
“Not surprised to receive a letter from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Concerted efforts are being made to browbeat mainstream leaders and thwart potential efforts for a collective response. I am too small an entity vis-à-vis the cause that unites us today. Such tactics won’t work” the PDP chief wrote on Twitter after receiving the notice.
https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1157963118972006400
J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik earlier alleged that the scam occurred during PDP-BJP government’s rule. The selection list of 528 candidates in J&K Bank was changed to appoint political workers of the paties, as per allegation.
Speaking to Times Now, earlier, Malik said about 40 young applicants had complained to him that they cleared the entrance exam and made it to the selection list but were replaced by relatives and workers of political parties. Malik also alleged that entire list of 582 candidates was replaced to accommodate such appointees.
“I called the J&K bank chairman (Parvez Ahmed) …. and told him I want jobs for these candidates who had qualified the exams. He said this is not the case of just 40 youth, but there are 582 candidates who had qualified exams but didn’t get selected. This is the tragedy of Kashmir… there is so much of fraud and those who don’t give bribe have no chance of getting a job,” Malik said.
“I asked the bank chairman to give the youth their due. I also called the finance secretary and finally, a resolution was adopted and all 582 candidates were given appointment letters last week.”
The notice to Mufti comes in the backdrop of extreme turmoil and confusion in the state after the state administration issued an advisory to curtail Amarnath Yatra. The unprecedented move created panic as rumours of government moving to abrogate Article 35A of the Constitution which gives special status to the state ensuing exclusive access to state’s citizens to government positions and posts. However, Governor Malik has denied any such concerns raised by J&K poliitical parties such as PDP and the National Conference.
