Srinagar, May 10 (KNS): In a significant development, Jammu & Kashmir Government has decided to constitute Fact Finding Committees headed by senior officers to go into alleged irregularities in government business, if any, and identify those responsible for these.

All the Fact Finding Committees will submit their reports by 14 June 2019.

Pertinently, Ziraat Times had run a series of stories over the last few months, calling for governmental attention towards irregularities in the implementation of several development activities, particularly development of roads and dredging of rivers in the state.

“Based on a large number of complaints coming to Hon’ble Governor and to Government from various quarters regarding irregularities in the functioning of different Departments, the Government has decided to constitute Fact Finding Committees”, a statement issued by J&K government Friday evening said.

The Fact Finding Committees will look into irregularities in appointments in JK Sports Council, appointments in Skill Development, in awarding dredging contracts, in awarding macadamization contracts and in lack of progress in implementation of SWAN Project.

Each Fact Finding Committee will be headed by a senior officer and will submit it’s findings in a time bound manner. The Fact Finding Committees are:

a) Fact Finding Committee to examine illegal/ irregular appointments in JK Sports Council

To enquire into all illegal/irregular appointments, if any, in JK Sports Council and the Youth Services and Sports Department from 2010 – 2018 and identify those responsible for irregularities, if any. The Committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary (Home) and will also include Secretary, Youth, Services & Sports.

b) Fact Finding Committee to examine fraudulent appointments in Skill Development Department

To look into all fraudulent appointments in the Skill Development Department and any Autonomous Body /Corporation/Organization under it from 2010 – 2018 and shall identify those responsible for fraudulent appointments, if any. The Committee will be chaired by Commissioner/ Secretary, Forest and will also include Secretary, DMRRR and Secretary, Technical Education.

c) Fact Finding Committee to examine irregularities in awarding dredging contracts.

– to look into the irregularities in awarding/implementation of dredging contracts in the Jhelum river and elsewhere by the I&FC Department and by LAWDA from 2010 – 2018 and identify those responsible for irregularities, if any. The Committee will be chaired by Principal Secretary, H&UDD and include Commissioner /Secretary, Revenue and Commissioner/ Secretary, PHE/I&FC

d)Fact Finding Committee to examine irregularities in awarding macadamization contracts.

– To look into irregularities in awarding and implementation of macadamization contracts from 2010 – 2018 and identify those responsible for irregularities, if any. The Committee will be chaired by Principal Secretary, Finance and include Principal Secretary, Planning and MD, JKPCC.

e) Fact Finding Committee to examine irregularities in lack of progress in implementation of SWAN Project.

– To look into the reasons for delay in implementation of SWAN Project by the IT Department and irregularities, if any. The Committee will be chaired by Principal Secretary, Transport and will include Principal Secretary, Industries and Secretary, Higher Education. (KNS)