Oppn accuses J&K govt of backdoor appointments
Jammu:alleging the state government of making backdoor appointments in the government departments and corporations, the Opposition on Tuesday staged a walkout of the Upper House in protest.
The Opposition also found support from ruling party PDP’S member Firdous Tak, who also alleged irregularities in the appointments in corporations.
The issue cropped up during a question by National Conference (NC) member Qaiser Jamsheed Lone regarding appointments in various departments and corporations.
Minister of state for education Priya Sethi while replying on behalf of GAD minister, informed the House that 21,490 selections have been made in various government departments by the recruitment agencies during the last two years.
She informed that 132 selections have been made in various autonomous bodies under the administrative control of the departments.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the reply, Lone alleged, "I have sought information regarding appointment made in last three years. However, the reply is only limed to the appointments made by the recruiting agencies.”
"Moreover, there was no mention of the criteria adopted for filling up 132 posts in various autonomous bodies and there was no mention of the criteria adopted for other appointments made in the last three years. It clearly shows that the government wants to hide something and these were back-door appointments,” he alleged.
Intervening during the reply, agriculture minister Ghulam Nabi Hanjura said the recruitments were made in a highly transparent manner by the recruitment agencies.
However, Lone asked the Chair to defer the question, contending that the reply was incomplete.
"There should be a thorough probe and I demand setting up of a House Committee to probe the matter,” demanded Lone.
Opposition members from Congress and NC and also a PDP member, alleged lack of transparency in appointments.
PDP member Firdous Tak pointed out, "He (minister) is defending the indefensible," and alleged that 23 appointments of class IV employees have been made in various corporations.
"We are following the footsteps of the previous government. There is a blanket ban on all appointments. Let there be a probe and a House Committee be constituted,” he demanded.
‘GOVT FAVOURING KASHMIR OVER JAMMU’
Members of the ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP and PDP, clashed in the Upper House on Tuesday over alleged irregularities in the selection procedure of Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).
BJP member Vibod Gupta alleged discrimination against the Jammu region in recruitments and accused JKPSC of favouring the Kashmir region. He later staged a walkout in protest.