SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has whipped up a political storm by disclosing that politicians had set aside the J&K Bank’s selection list of 582 candidates for appointing their political workers.
The appointments had taken place during the erstwhile PDP-BJP coalition government’s rule in the northern state.
“About 40 youth approached me and said they had cleared all examinations and figured in the selection list of Relationship Executives (REs) in the J&K Bank, but were replaced by relatives and workers of political parties,” Malik told a private TV news channel.
The Governor said he summoned J&K Bank chairman Parvez Ahmed and discussed the complaints of the youth. “The J&K Bank chairman told me that the number was not just 40, but all 582 youth recruited by the bank as REs were replaced with political appointees, recommended by leaders from every constituency.”
Malik also questioned the functioning of the Public Service Commission, saying that a youth was selected for the Kashmir Administrative Service without appearing for the exam.
But, J&K Bank chairman Parvez Ahmed in a statement claimed that there was absolute transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.
“There is no scope of any tinkering in the merit list prepared by the reputed national-level professional recruitment agency, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.”
Parvez added the bank was open to public scrutiny.
PDP leader and former Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu demanded Malik name the political leaders, who allegedly got the list changed. “The Governor should reveal when did it happen and how was it done. This is beyond shocking. Unbelievable.”
The BJP, which was in the coalition government for three years, ruled out involvement of any of its leaders.
“Our party was not involved in such wrongdoing. In fact, we left the government,” BJP spokesman Priya Sethi told TNIE.
“The Chief Minister and the Finance Minister were from PDP, and the J&K Bank comes directly under the Finance Minister. Maybe the PDP have got some role.”
Priya also urged the Governor to reveal the names of politicians and bureaucrats, who were involved in this illegal process.
“More skeletons fall out of the cupboard - PDP-BJP changed the entire select list of J&K Bank to appoint favourites,” NC leader Omar Abdullah tweeted.