KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Violating the basic structure of special status of J&K state, Government’s Protocol and Hospitality Department has appointed as many as 17 non-state subjects, a reply to an RTI application reveals.
In reply to a RTI application filed by Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone, chairperson “People against Corruption”, government has revealed that government’s Protocol and Hospitality Department has appointed 17 non-state subjects in JK House Delhi, thus violating the basic structure of special status of J&K state.
However, the government justifies the appointments. “As per exception-3 below note 2 of Article 35-B of J&K CSR-I the Kashmir Trade Commissioner, New Delhi can appoint non-state subject in his office, in case suitable state subjects may not be available. The post of Trade Commissioner, New Delhi has since been re-designated as the ‘Principal Resident Commissioner’,” the reply of RTI application said.
But advocate Hafeez questions government’s reason saying the state is facing huge unemployment problems, “how can government say that suitable candidates were not available. The posts can be advertised here and selected candidates can be sent to Delhi.”
The RTI application also revealed that Crores of Rupees were spent on fuel at JK House Delhi in past three years. From 2013 to 2015, Rs 17, 280266 Crores were spent on the fuel only. “This reflects how brazenly public money is misused that too when the state of Jammu and Kashmir is going through financial crisis,” said Advocate Hafeez.
