SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday alleged that around 25,000 backdoor appointments had been made in Jammu and Kashmir during the 25-month tenure of the National Conference (NC)-led government, claiming that vacancies in government departments were filled through private outsourcing agencies without transparency and outside the established recruitment process.
Mehbooba alleged that the appointments were made against vacancies in various government departments and 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.
The PDP chief alleged that these were appointments against regular government vacancies. “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 further alleged that complaints received by her party suggested candidates were asked to pay between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh to secure jobs.
“The allegations that have come to us are that money was taken from candidates and distributed through this process,” she said.
She also alleged that nearly 200 private outsourcing 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.
The PDP president claimed that lists of candidates were collected from ministers and legislators and forwarded to outsourcing agencies through officials 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 alleged.
She further alleged that the appointments were made without public advertisements or equal opportunity for 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, Mehbooba 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 called for the alleged recruitment process to 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, Mehbooba urged the authorities to resolve their grievances.
“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.
On the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Mehbooba welcomed 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.
Calling for reconciliation, Mehbooba said people should move beyond the past.
“People should stop looking behind and start looking towards the future,” she said.
Referring to the human cost of the conflict, she said every life lost was precious and should strengthen efforts towards coexistence.
The PDP president also referred to Kashmiri Pandit professionals who continue to maintain links with the Valley, saying their engagement helps strengthen bonds between communities.
Recalling a recent interaction with a Kashmiri Pandit woman, Mehbooba said she was saddened when the woman expressed reluctance to return 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.
She urged the government to address concerns of Kashmiri Pandits and migrant employees, particularly those related to accommodation and transfers, and said both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits must work together to ensure the community’s dignified return and rehabilitation. (KNO)
