KVIB recruitments: Probe to be completed in a month incomplete after six

SRINAGAR, Aug 20: Around six-months since a probe was ordered into JK’s Khadi Village and Industries Board (KVIB) selections for various posts, the enquiry team is yet to submit its report.

On February 25, the-then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti ordered a high-level enquiry into the procedural inadequacies in the selection process of the KVIB.

She had ordered the probe following severe criticism over the appointment of her own nephew Aroot Madni (37), son of senior PDP leader Sartaj Madni as an executive officer in the board.

The enquiry is being carried by the three member panel headed R K Goyal, Principal Secretary Home Department. Its members include Dr Pawal Kotwal and Farooq Ahmad Shah.

However, the committee has missed several deadlines so far and is unsure about timing for submitting the report.

An official of the General Administration Department said that the committee was yet to submit the report.

“It was to submit report in a month and was later extended to two months. We don’t know when they will submit report neither is the government asking for it,” the official said.

Goyal, the committee head, confirmed that enquiry report has not been submitted. “It is under examination,” he said.

Asked when it will be submitted, he replied, “I can’t say when it will be submitted.”

The KVIB had issued an advertisement against vacancies on October 8, 2016. Shortlisted candidates took a written test in August 2017, and interviews for the position began in the last week of January.

The selection process was conducted by a private recruitment agency instead of the J&K Service Selection and Recruitment Board (JKSRB). Mehbooba’s nephew declined to accept the employment offer from the board following the controversy generated by his appointment.

The National Conference had launched a scathing attack on the PDP over alleged nepotism and malpractice in the selection of candidates. “The KVIB list is full of appointments made on the basis of relations and affiliations to the CM’s family and party. Withdrawal of application by Sartaj Madnis son does not end the case but indicates he would not have been able to stand the scrutiny of a probe,” the party had said.

However, the PDP had termed the selection as fair, and Sartaj Madni himself has questioned whether or not the sons of politicians deserved a chance to seek employment and livelihood.