Srinagar, Jun 25 (KNO): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday alleged that around 25,000 backdoor appointments have been made in Jammu and Kashmir during the 25-month tenure of the National Conference (NC)-led government. She claimed that government vacancies were filled through private outsourcing agencies without transparency and outside the established recruitment process.
Addressing a press conference here, Mehbooba alleged that the appointments were made against vacancies in various government departments across Jammu and Kashmir and were distributed among ministers, MLAs and alliance partners.
“There are about 25,000 backdoor entries in 25 months. I have the orders as well, but I do not want to disclose the identities of those appointed for their protection,” she said, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The PDP chief alleged that these were not ordinary engagements but appointments made against regular vacancies in government departments. “These vacancies were distributed among ministers, MLAs and alliance partners. In my opinion, the BJP also has a share in this, which is why it is silent and not raising any hue and cry over the issue,” she alleged.
Mehbooba alleged that complaints received by her party suggested that candidates were allegedly asked to pay between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for securing jobs. “The allegations that have come to us are that money was taken from candidates and distributed through this process,” she said.
Further alleging misuse of outsourcing agencies, the PDP president said nearly 200 private agencies were involved in the recruitment process.
“What was done was that outsourcing agencies were hired. For a brief period, a website would be opened where selected candidates were asked to submit forms. Once the forms were filled out, the website would be closed,” she alleged.
She also alleged that lists of candidates were collected from ministers and legislators and forwarded to outsourcing agencies through officials and employees in different departments.
“There is one Ramzan Sahib and one Ayush Sahib. I do not want to disclose their designations. There are several others in different departments, whether PROs or secretaries, who allegedly collected lists from MLAs and ministers and passed them on to outsourcing agencies,” she said.
Mehbooba alleged that the appointments were made without advertisements and without providing equal opportunities to aspiring candidates. “I have not seen any advertisement in newspapers regarding these appointments. Wherever interviews were conducted, no other candidates were interviewed. Only those selected through the process were considered,” she alleged.
Questioning the NC government’s promise of providing one lakh jobs, the former chief minister said the alleged appointments had raised concerns among unemployed youth.
“Omar Sahib had promised one lakh jobs. If 25,000 have already been filled through backdoor entries, then 75,000 are still left. If this continues, where will educated and deserving youth go?” she asked.
Demanding immediate intervention, she said the alleged backdoor recruitment process should be stopped and responsibility fixed.
“These backdoor appointments should be stopped, and action should be taken if any irregularities have taken place,” she said.
Replying to a question on issues faced by livestock and mutton traders, Mufti said those associated with the sector were facing hardships and urged the authorities to find a solution.
“The mutton traders are in a very difficult situation. Whether it is the Madhopur border or the Shambhu border, a solution should be found to their problems,” she said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Mehbooba welcomed the growing interaction between members of the community and local residents. “It is a good thing that Kashmiri Pandits have started coming and visiting Kashmir. They are reconnecting with their homes and roots. This is a positive development,” she said.
However, she alleged that certain groups were attempting to use the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits to advance their own agenda. “There are some lobbies among Kashmiri Pandits who want to weaponise their pain and suffering for their own agenda. Kashmiri Pandits should isolate such elements,” she said.
Urging people to move beyond the past, Mehbooba said reconciliation and coexistence were essential for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. “People should stop looking behind and start looking towards the future,” she said.
Referring to the human cost of the conflict, the PDP chief said all communities had suffered and that the losses should serve as a basis for reconciliation.
“About 99 per cent of those killed in Jammu and Kashmir were Muslims, while one per cent were our Kashmiri Pandit brothers. Every life lost is precious and should remind us of the need to move forward together,” she said.
The PDP president also referred to Kashmiri Pandit professionals who continue to maintain links with the Valley, mentioning doctors such as Dr Sushil Razdan and Dr Sameer Koul.
She said their engagement with people in Kashmir helped strengthen bonds between communities and created a positive atmosphere for reconciliation.
Recalling a recent interaction with a Kashmiri Pandit woman, Mehbooba said she was saddened when the woman expressed reluctance about returning permanently to Kashmir. “My heart broke when a woman said she did not want to return. This is her land and her motherland. Why should she not be able to live here?” she said.
Mufti urged the government to address concerns faced by Kashmiri Pandits and migrant employees, particularly those related to accommodation and transfers.
She said residents of Jagti and other migrant colonies continued to face difficulties and suggested that housing facilities be improved. She also called for a review of the transfer policy under the Prime Minister’s package, saying genuine cases requiring transfers should be considered sympathetically.
“The government can resolve many of these issues. But when it comes to the actual return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits will have to work together. That is the only way forward,” Mehbooba added—(KNO)