CM orders probe into nepotism allegations in KVIB appointments

Srinagar, February 25
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday ordered investigations into allegations of nepotism in appointments made to Khadi Village and Industries Board (KVIB).
The Tribune was the first to report suspected nepotism in the recruitment process.
“Chief Minister orders high level probe into KVIB appointments,” Tahir Syed, the chief minister’s Media analyst wrote on Facebook. “Chief Secretary headed- committee asked to come up with its fact finding report in short time (sic).”
Among those whose appointment is controversial is the chief minister’s own cousin Aroot Madni, son of ruling PDP Vice-President Sartaj Madni.Some candidates have claimed that the selection process was delegated to a private recruitment agency instead of J&K Service Selection and Recruitment Board (JKSRB). Madni’s appointment has drawn particular criticism—candidates have claimed that he lacked qualifications for the position of executive officer, and was appointed the post solely because of his political influence.
Madni’s Facebook page shows he was PDP’s youth president of Devsar Assembly constituency in south Kashmir.
Examination controller Abdul Majid Bhat—also Commissioner Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs—had raised the allegations with J&K Police in a letter last year. “There are some complaints against the examination process that same was not fair as administrative secretary of Industries and Commerce also reported the same verbally to me,” Bhat had written to CID Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir on September 4 last year.
The board had advertised various positions—among them that of the executive officer—on October 8, 2016. Shortlisted candidates took a written test in August 2017. Interviews for the position began in the last week of January.
Managing Director of State Power Development Corporation (SPDC) Shah Faesal had demanded an FIR.
“If it’s true that the merit list has been rigged then instead of an inquiry there should be an FIR. High time that we take those people to task who push our educated youngsters to wall and kill their confidence,” Faesal wrote on his Facebook page.
Opposition National Conference has asked for a judicial probe into the allegations.
“It is a cognisable act and we demand a judicial probe to look into the allegations of fraud in the selection list,” NC’s state spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said.