Tainted officials run show at HP&M deptt

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 16: At a time when the government is making tall claims of eradication corruption in the government departments, two tainted officials, with pending cases of corruption in Crime Branch and Vigilance, are running the show at Horticulture, Planning and Marketing(HP&M ) Department.

Both the officials have figured in the tainted officials list submitted in Legislative Assembly by the home department continuously for last three years.  

Sources said that Deputy Director, Kashmir, M.S Teli, has pending vigilance case against him for withdrawal of salary to the tune of Rs 6 lakh at a time against the post of Deputy Director and General Manager, Kashmir Fruit Federation (KFF).

But despite proven case of fraud no action has been taken against him so far.

Sources said that despite involvement of these officials in the embezzlement of crores of rupees, they have been given important assignments owing to their proximity with some ministers, while upright officials have been neglected. The sources alleged that patronized by the ministers, these tainted officials are ruling the roost in the department even beyond their official jurisdiction.

If sources are to be believed, Crime Branch and Vigilance Department is also holding inquiry against Teli in alleged bungling in the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). “For last six months his promotion for the post of Joint Director is pending as the higher authorities, considering his tainted record, is not issuing the mandatory Integrity Certificate ”, they alleged.

Similarly, Assistant Director, Shakuat Ahmed Khan, who also holds a key position in the department, is under scanner of crime branch and vigilance for his alleged role in misuse of public money.

A senior officer on condition of anonymity said that there are Directions from the Administrative Department not to give any important assignment to Shaukat Ahmed Khan, but he has been given key role in organizing recent Fruit Mela,   in Jammu.