Former managing director SFC booked for illegal appointments in JK

Former managing director of the State Forest Corporation (SFC) was booked by Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) for allegedly making illegal appointments in connivance with the beneficiaries about eight years ago, a spokesman said today.

A case was registered against Abdul Qayoom Khan and others following verification of allegations that 212 backdoor appointments were made in different cadres of the SFC, the SVO spokesman said.

He said the verification was conducted after a written complaint and it was revealed that 11 computer operators were illegally engaged in 2010 and six others as timber sorters.

The probe further revealed that in addition to the above illegal appointments, some non-state subjects were also engaged as watch and ward or chowkidars on consolidated wages, the spokesman alleged.

He alleged that the appointments were made by Khan with the approval of the chairman and the then forest minister without putting out an advertisement for the posts in gross violation of the rules.

By acting in this manner, Khan, with the approval of the then chairman, by abuse of the official position and in league with the beneficiaries conferred undue benefit upon these illegal appointees, he alleged.

The spokesman said a case was registered against them as the acts of omissions and commissions by Khan and others , prima facie, constituted offences punishable under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Ranbir Penal Code.