The tall claims of PDP-BJP government of curbing favouritism with transparency in the state administration fall flat as it appointed retired government official as a project coordinator in handicrafts department.
According to sources the government has appointed former Managing Director Arts and Emporium Munshi Muzaffar Hussain as project Coordinator in the handicrafts department. “The re-employment to the blue eyed official was given under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Handicrafts Mega Cluster Mission” sources told KNS.
The beneficiary according to sources is considered close associates of one of the Minister of PDP and some highly placed officials in the government.
Sources said that the said official used his political influence and in nexus with some highly placed officials managed to frame an order copy under the government of India scheme ‘HMCM’ to enjoy a post.
Highly placed sources within the Handicrafts department say that though such schemes are meant for betterment of people associated with Handicrafts Department and funds sanctioned are also supposed to be utilized in helping the Artisans, but it is the favourites who are making hay.
It is pertinent to mention here that Munshi Muzaffar Hussain was given one year extension as Managing Director Arts and emporium after he attained superannuation on 31.03 2013.
When contacted Munshi Muzaffar Hussain confirmed his reemployment under the said scheme “Yes it is true that the government has appointed me as project coordinator under the Handicrafts Mega cluster scheme. If you want details come to my office but if you want to do a story on it go ahead,” the official said and banged the phone.
It is pertinent to mention here that the said official had also managed to recommend his name as member public service commission but later it was returned by the Governor N.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelN Vohara with objections.
Meanwhile the experts say that reemploy of officials leads to corruption. “There is a clout that retire official happen to have formed around their offices. This is, in one way or the other, leading to instances of corruption and favouritism, which needs to be discouraged for better governance,” said one of the senior officials of the government.
He said that the Government must give chance to new officials to assume key positions “Retired officials are seldom held accountable. They don’t have anything at stake. They resort to wrongdoings and get away with them which are not the case with in-service officials who can be suspended, terminated for any irregularities. Their promotions can also get hampered,” the official said.
Interestingly Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed had ordered termination of services of all those employees who, after their retirement, were re-employed by previous Omar Abdullah government in various departments
An official spokesmen of the government while pointing out that this has been done “in a bid to rid Jammu Kashmir from the scourge of nepotism and rejuvenate administration had said that these directions have also been issued to restore the credibility of the administration, so that it works in a fair and transparent manner, the spokesperson added.
The Chief Minister had also ordered that arrangements made by the different Departments/Public Sector Undertakings/ Boards/Autonomous Bodies under any scheme against any sanctioned posts without any selection procedure, even on Contractual basis, shall also cease to exist with immediate effect. The Chief Minister had also ordered that any other engagements / arrangements made by the Departments, PSUs/ Boards/ Autonomous Bodies at their own level shall also be governed by the instructions. (KNS)