Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 10: Leaving behind private institutions and business houses, a professor is heading Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) a government owned body for the past 12 years.
Documents in possession of Early Times reveal that an Associate Professor from Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA) Dr M I Parray has been serving Jammu JKEDI as Director for more than 12 years.
"On December 9, 2003 Dr Parray was relieved from IMPA Srinagar and joined JKEDI as Director on deputation but on July 7, 2005 Principal Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce department issued order for permanent absorption of Dr M I Parray as Director JKEDI", sources said, adding that since then, he has been serving the institute as Director.
The order number 175-IND of 2005 date July 8, 2005 states : "In the interest of administration, sanction is hereby accorded to permanent absorption of Dr M I Parray, presently working as director, EDI on deputation from IMPA as director, J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute. He shall, however, hold the grade of Rs 16400-45-20000 till further order. Dr Parray shall have been deemed to be relieved and his lien terminated from IMPA."
Moreover, in rampant violation of norms, a simple professor has been appointed as director instead of a KAS or IAS officer. "The post of director belongs to senior KAS or IAS cadre officer, but the director being a Professor has been holding the post for the last 10 years, in sheer violation of government rules and regulations", sources said.
"It is a million dollar question that why Dr Parray was not reverted back to his parental department IMPA or transferred to some other department, after holding the post for so many years," sources added.
Corporation and Societies across state are governed by a board of directors, then why JKEDI, a Corporation is being governed by a single individual Director is a million dollar question which people at the helm need to answer.
"He (director) is misusing the powers because there is no check on him," sources alleged, adding that the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has pointed gross financial irregularities in PMEGP training program, conducted by JKEDI which need to be thoroughly investigated.
"Employees who raise their voice against corrupt practice of director or refuse to toe his line have to face the axe. So far three employees have been terminated", they said.
Astonishingly, the Director has made his own recruitment rules and is conducting recruitment on his own instead of following the regular procedure.
"Yes I'm Director JKEDI", said Dr Parray replying the query by this correspondent.
A senior functionary Jammu and Kashmir Industries & Commerce Department, wishing not to be named said JKEDI is government institution where same transfer policy has to be implemented. "I don't know why, Dr Parray is not being transferred from JKEDI", he wondered. |
