Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, June 29: Despite being indicted in cases of embezzlement and corruption one dozen officers of Housing and Urban Development Department are ruling the roost as they are continuing with their bad practices at their present places of posting.
These officers manning the different municipal committees and councils have virtually ruined the department. However, on account of their proximity with some of the politicians no action whatsoever has been taken against them. This has put the entire working of these municipal committees and councils in doldrums.
Sources told Early Times that Lateef Ahmad Mir, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Sopore continues to man this municipal council for the past seven years. This is despite that fact that an enquiry ordered by the government proved that Mir resorted to large scale embezzlement at this municipal committee.
This Executive Officer also appointed dozens of persons on casual and daily wage basis in the committee illegally without any authorization whatsoever. He is said to be very close to former MLA Sopore and Congress leader, Abdul Rashid Dar.
Abdul Rashid Teli, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Kulgam is posted there for the last five years. Teli too is involved in numerous scams and scandals at this committee with the enquiry committee also proving it. He is said to be close to State Secretary CPI (M) and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami.
Abdul Rashid Shah despite being suspended as Executive Officer, Municipal Committees, Bandipora, Hajin and Sumbal is trying to get back the plum posting. He embezzled funds at these municipal committees and also appointed dozens of persons as casual workers through backdoor. His proximity with Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone and School Education Minister, Tara Chand has paid since no worthwhile action has been taken against him.
Mohammad Khalid Bhat, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Chadoora broke all records of embezzlement at this municipal committee. His role was also established by the enquiry committee but no action has been taken against him so far.
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Khan Sahib resorted to large scale corruption at this municipal committee. The enquiry committee pointed out towards his role in the corrupt practices. Due to his proximity with MLA Khan Sahib, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin no action has been taken against him so far.
Wali Mohammad Wani, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Bijbehara did not leave any stone unturned in resorting to large scale embezzlement at this municipal committee. Since he is close to National Conference's Provincial President for Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani action is yet to be taken against him.
Bashir Ahmad Nanda, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Tral resorted to large scale embezzlement at this municipal committee. Due to his proximity with National Conference leader and former MP, Dr. Mehboob Beigh no action has been taken against him so far.
Peerzada Shakeel Ahmad Shah, Executive Officer, Municipal Committees, Hajin and Bandipora broke all records of misappropriation at these committees. He is yet to face any action since he is close to National Conference General Secretary and MLA Khanyar, Ali Mohammad Sagar.
Mohammad Afzal Wani, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Qaimoh resorted to large scale embezzlement at this municipal committee. Since he is close to Haj and Auqaf Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed action is yet to be taken against him.
Bashir Ahmad Ganie, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Achabal has the backing of some bureaucrats and as such no action has been taken against him. This is despite the fact that he resorted to huge embezzlements at this municipal committee.
Gowhar Ahmad Tigoo, Executive Officer, Municipal Committees, Devsar and Qazigund has appointed many persons through backdoor as casual workers at the Municipal Committee, Devsar. It has also been proved by the enquiry committee but no action has been taken against due to his proximity with political leader.
Bashir Ahmad Dar continues to be posted as Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Pahalgam for the past five years. He too has been a party to the illegal appointments carried out at this municipal committee. However, no action has been taken against him as he is considered to be close a an influential political leader. |
