SVO arrests J-K Assistant Labour Commissioner on graft charges

Jammu and Kashmir SVO today arrested an Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) for allegedly taking bribes from labourers in Poonch during 2011-12 to register them with the Labour Department.
The then ALC of Poonch, Aziz Ahmed Bhatti, now serving the post in Kishtwar, was taken into custody today. He is presently lodged at the Kishtwar Police Station, a State Vigilance Organisation official said.
Bhatti was arrested to carry out detailed questioning regarding his involvement in the case, he said, adding after getting transit remand he will be brought to Jammu.
A case was registered against Bhatti and other officials of the ALC's office in Poonch under the J-K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, last year, the official said.

It was done on the basis of an enquiry by the SVO into the allegations of them demanding and accepting bribes from poor labourers in Poonch during 2011-12 to register them with the Labour Department, the official said.
He said investigations revealed that there were irregularities and discrepancies in grant of funds under marriage assistance, health assistance, maternity assistance, funeral assistance and death benefits to labourers, and scholarship to their wards among others under the J-K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board scheme.
It was also found that Bhatti by abuse of his official position and in violation of the norms and guidelines deprived poor labourers of the financial assistance under the scheme whereas undeserving cases were sanctioned grants, the official said.