| Single officer booked by ACB, others stay untouched | | Backdoor appointments under MGNREGA | | Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 6: Although the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) booked an Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) in infamous back door recruitment scam under MGNREGA in district Rajouri between 2015 to 2018, it failed to initiate action against those who committed same crime during 2008 to 2015.
Governor's administration on August 10, 2018 disengaged 224 backdoor appointees including Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRS), computer operators and technical assistants in Rural Development Department, but the ACB registered case against only one officer.
According to documents available with Early Times, from 2008 to August 2018, around 220 recruitments were made, by a nexus of officers including some ACDs, DPOs and BDOs.
"The scam began in 2008 and till February 28, 2015 the then district programme coordinator (DPC) Ajaz Mirza, Ajaz ul Hssan Bandey, Suriya Jabeen, Basharat Hussain, Shoket Mehmood (now MGNREGA ombudsman for Rajouri Poonch districts) and Subash Chander Sharma had made 81 back door recruitments", sources informed ET. "No public notices were issued and all these appointments were made on the recommendations of the politicians/ legislators/Ministers and also for monetary considerations", they added.
They further said that between 2015-2018, again 139 back door appointments were made bypassing selection committee in Rajouri district. Noor Alam former ACD Rajouri, who has been booked by ACB made 96 backdoor appointments, Mukhtar Ahmed former DPO Rajouri incharge BDO Thanamandi and incahrge BDO Plangarh made 32 appointments, BDO Rajouri who was holding additional charge Manjakote and Dongi block made six, BDO Nowshera made four and BDO Khawas made one backdoor appointment, the documents divulged.
Astonishingly, from 2008 to August 2018, 220 appointments were made and around four former ACDs, a DPO and several BDOs were involved in this scam. "Only one person, former ACD Noor Alam has been booked recently by the ACB vide FIR no. 01/2019 U/S 5(1) (d) r/w 5 (2) of J&K P C Act Samvat 2006, 4(a) of J&K Amendment Act, 2014", they said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Governor's administration on August 2018 had directed all the Deputy Commissioners to submit report regarding action taken in the matter within 15 days, if such engagements were made in their districts as well, but astonishingly most of the DCs did not comply with the directions.
When contacted, Director, ACB J&K, S.J.M. Gillani said that the investigation was underway, if any officials found involved backdoor recruitment case, would also be named in the FIR. |
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