Two political appointees removed as PSU vice-chiefs

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 9

The state on Monday began the process of terminating the appointment of political leaders who were appointed vice-chairpersons of various sick Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the state government terminated the appointment of Gulzar Ahmad Khatana as vice-chairperson, J&K State Advisory Board for the development of Gujjars and Bakerwals.

In another order, the state administration, headed by Governor NN Vohra, also terminated the appointment of Rashid Ahmad as vice-chairperson, J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation, made by the Agriculture Production Department on May 11 last year. Both of them belonged to the PDP.

After the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti submitted her resignation to Governor NN Vohra on June 19, the political functionaries belonging to the PDP and the BJP, in 16 major PSUs were supposed to step down from their post but they showed reluctance to leave their offices.

Pertinently, the state government had on March 10 last year, accorded its approval to the appointment of vice-chairpersons for 16 financially-crunched PSUs in the state. Out of 16 vice-chairpersons, nine belonged to the PDP and seven to the BJP. Barring few, a majority of the PSUs did not have vice-chairpersons in the past.

While the ruling parties had described the appointments of vice-chairpersons as a move “to deliver good governance”, opposition parties accused them (PDP and BJP) of “rehabilitating” their middle-rung leaders on political considerations at the cost of public exchequer.

These middle-rung “rehabilitated” PDP and BJP leaders were entitled to a monthly salary of Rs 80,000 per month besides hefty perks and allowances to “serve” these PSUs.

According to a rough estimate, on an average, each of these politicians cost Rs 1.5 lakh per month to the coffers of the state government. Besides monthly salary, perks, allowances and other benefits, these politicians were also entitled to chauffeur-driven vehicles, personal staff and other advantages.