After facing criticism over delay in ordering a probe, the J&K government on Monday constituted a high-level committee to investigate into the allegations of unfair appointments made in the Khadi Village & Industries Board (KVIB).
The three-member committee headed by R K Goyal, principal secretary Home department, would conduct inquiry into the selection process which was marred by allegations of blatant nepotism and favoritism.
The appointments had created a massive controversy last month, with netizens and political quarters questioning the selection process.
Apart from Goyal, two senior bureaucrats – PawanKotwal (principal secretary Health and Medical Education department) and Farooq Ahmad Shah (secretary School Education department) – would be part of the panel which has been directed to finalize its report within one month.
The appointments came under question after the name of Syed ArootMadni, son of PDP vice-president SartajMadni, figured in the selection list. Madni was selected as executive officer in the KVIB.
What created more embarrassing situation for the government was the disclosure that secretary Law and Parliamentary affairs department, Abdul Majid Bhat, who was controller examination for KVIB, had already flagged the issue of unfair exams in a written communiqué to IGP CID on September 4 last year.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah termed Madni’s appointment as fraud and demanded a High Court-monitored investigation into the case.
In a damage-control move, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had on February 25 said that chief secretary BB Vyas will probe the selection process.
The inquiry committee, as per its terms of reference, would look into the complaints of unfair selection and determine whether proper procedure was followed.