Ensure transparency in recruitment: Govt

Tribune News Service

Srinagar September 10

The state government has asked public sector undertakings (PSUs), which have come under sharp criticism over illegal appointments, to ensure transparency in recruitment.

Under the fresh directives, the PSUs have been asked to seek concurrence of the Finance Department for creation of any new posts or filling up of vacant positions.

“No new posts shall be created by the PSUs without the prior concurrence of the Finance Department. No recruitment shall be made by public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, societies, without following a transparent and due process, including advertisements inviting applications from eligible candidates irrespective of class of the posts,” read the guidelines.

The development comes following the investigation started by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into illegal recruitment and misappropriation of funds.

The heads of the PSUs have been directed to immediately convene board of directors and prepare all the statements of accounts by the end of September.

The government has asked the PSUs to complete annual audits up to March 31 and ensure that all actions required towards transition in pursuance of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, are completed in the ongoing months.

The J&K Government has quashed the selection of 101 candidates, including Aroot Madni, cousin brother of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, as Executive Officer in the Khadi and Village Industries Board, during the PDP-BJP Government on June 28.

The decision was taken after an inquiry committee, which was constituted to probe irregularities in the PSU, termed the entire appointment process as flawed and in deviation of the rules.

The ACB is conducting an investigation into the illegal appointments in J&K Bank after complainant Syed Kousar of Dandoosa Rafiabad in Baramulla district had alleged that banking attendants and assistant banking associates have been appointed through backdoor.

Kousar had alleged that since 2014 more than 3,000 illegal appointments, mostly of PDP and BJP workers, had been done in the bank, causing a heavy strain on the bank finances. “You (ACB) can visit and enquire from various bank branches and find these fraud appointments,” he said in the June 8 complaint.