Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 2: Three months before her government fell, Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister gave yet another extension of five years to her diehard loyalist as Director of J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) immediately after his retirement.
Dr Ismail Parray, the PDP loyalist, had become lone government servant who, escaping transfer, remained head of JKEDI for 15 years. And just after three weeks of his retirement, he was given five-year extension by the PDP government whose interests he has had served religiously.
"He retired at the end of February 2018, and on March 21, 2018 he was reemployed on the same post for another five years", well-placed sources in the administration told Early Times.
Sources said Parray, on deputation from J&K Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA) joined JKEDI and managed his permanent absorption within two years.
Parray was appointed as Director JKEDI on December 9, 2003 on deputation from IMPA Srinagar, but in 2005 he managed his permanent absorption as Director JKEDI. "It happened when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was Chief Minister", sources said, adding that a weekly newspaper editor whose proximity with the PDP is no secret had also lobbied for Parray.
From time to time government posted bureaucrats as head of government-run corporations and institutions, but in rampant violation of norms, Parray, a simple professor, remained Director on a post which normally should be held by an IAS or a KAS officer.
"The post of Director belongs to senior KAS or IAS cadre, but Parray under the patronage of PDP, enjoyed all privileges in sheer violation of government rules and regulations", sources said.
Being a cash cow of his political masters, Parray managed reemployment on the prestigious post. "During his first 15 year term as Director JKEDI, Parray misused his official position in absence of any check on him. The Village Industries Commission had pointed out gross financial irregularities in PMEGP training program", sources said.
They said that apart from crushing the voices raised against Parray in the JKEDI, he also made his own rules for recruitment. "Employees who raised their voice against corrupt practice of the Director or refused to toe his line, were terminated from their services. At least a dozen of employees had been terminated by Parray during his first inning", sources said.
They said that Parray during his first inning accommodated some 'blue-eyed' people on the recommendations of his political masters and the weekly newspaper editor. The editor was later bestowed with huge contracts amounting to crores of rupees in the JKEDI.
"Thorough probes need to be done by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, including various kind purchases and recruitment done by Parray during his first term. A senior official should be appointed as Director of JKEDI to achieve its purpose", sources said, urging the Governor's administration to seriously look into the issue. |
