Srinagar, Feb 18: Minister for Rural Development, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Sagar on Saturday said the Advisors and Vice Chairmen of various boards were appointed by the state government within the parameters of constitution and law of the State and are as such legal being in accordance with the constitution of the state.
“We are examining the SAC notice and will reply to it in accordance with the rules. The appointments are legal and in accordance with the constitution of the state,” Sagar told reporters.
On being asked whether Advisors and Vice-Chairmen should step down in the backdrop of SAC notice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, “There are no corruption charges against them that they will resign. The appointments are constitutional and legal, so there arises no question of their stepping down”.
“It is not the first time that the Advisors and Vice chairmen of various boards have been appointed but this practice has been in vogue during various regimes and administrative setups in the State in the past also,” he added.
 “We respect the State Accountability Commission and the State Government shall definitely clarify the state’s stand as per the law,” he added.
Sagar said it is not in Jammu and Kashmir alone but Advisors with Ministerial status are appointed in other States and the Centre as well.
He said that all these are legal and constitutional niceties shall be pleaded accordingly and law shall take its own course.
Lambasting the political statement of PDP President,  Sagar said that her statement is loaded with negative political overtures.
She should in fact on the contrary appreciate the transparency of the system and independence of the constitutional institutions, he said, adding that PDP President has forgotten that in their own regime various such appointments were made.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST