Recruitment scam in Agriculture Deptt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 25: Special Judge Anticorruption Kashmir R N Watta today awarded one year imprisonment to Gh Mohi-u-Din Koul, the then Chief Agriculture Officer and Abdul Samad Khan, Senior Assistant in recruitment scam in Agriculture Department.
According to the prosecution case, Additional Secretary to Government Agriculture Production Department filed a complaint dated 1.7.1997 with Commissioner Vigilance Organization Kashmir (VOK) against the then Chief Agriculture Officer Srinagar Gh.Mohi-u-Din Kouloul revealing therein that delinquent officer issued orders of appointment/engagement of daily rated workers in violation of the Government SRO 64 dated 24.3.1994 and Government Order No. 26-F dated 31.1.1994 with the help of Abdul Rashid, Junior Assistant and Abdul Samad Khan, Senior Assistant of the Agriculture Department.
These appointment orders were issued when accused CAO was to retire in the month of April 1997 indicating his maladies intentions resulting in loss to Government exchequer. Accordingly, investigation in the matter was taken up, relevant records were seized statement of witness were recorded and investigation concluded with the finding that accused Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Koul, the then Chief agriculture Officer (CAO) Srinagar issued engagement orders in respect of 32 casual labors who were latter on disengaged by director.
It also revealed that accused Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Koul in active connivance with Abdul Rashid Bhat, Junior Assistant issued more appointment orders in respect of Jafar Iqbal, Ghulam Mohd Bhat, Ali Mohd Mir, Gousia Jan, Shiraz Ahmed, Musrat Qazi and Gowhar Nissa without adhering to the official procedures and in flagrant violation of rules and regulations.
The investigation further revealed that accused issued appointment orders in respect of Zohoor Ahmed Gujari, Riyaz Ahmed Shah, Bilal Ahmed Mir and Shabbir Ahmed, in violation of rules with active support of accused Abdul Samad Khan, Senior Assistant.
During investigation admitted and questioned signatures of the accused were sent to FSL and positive reports about their similarity were received. Prima facie offences under Section 5(2) PC Act, r/w Section 120B RPC were proved against accused G M Koul, Abdul Rashid Pandit and Abdul Samad Khan for having illegally appointed 11 persons, hatching conspiracy in violation of rules and regulations.
After hearing CPO Gh. Jeelani assisted by Riaz Ahmed Sr PO for the Anticorruption Bureau, Special Judge Anticorruption observed, “corruption is indeed one of the major roadblocks in the economic development of our State. There is an urgent need to have a comprehensive framework that would help curtail corruption”, adding “rigid bureaucracy, complex laws and legal procedures deters people from taking legal recourse against corrupt public servants”.
“Corruption needs to be eradicated from the State. Task is arduous but not unachievable. To achieve that, one has to rise above his vainglorious interest and to raise his moral standards. Public persons need to resist to such illegitimate insistence and rather should act as whistle blowers”, the court said, adding “only with collective efforts, corruption can be eradicated”.
With these observations, convict Gulam Mohi-u-Din Koul was sentenced to simple imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs 2,00,000 in default thereof he would undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of one month under Section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
He was also awarded simple imprisonment for six months and fine of Rs 10,000 in default thereof he would undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of one month under 120-B of RPC. The convict Abdul Samad Khan was awarded simple imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs 20,000 in default thereof he would undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of one month under 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
He was also awarded simple imprisonment of six months and fine of Rs 10,000 in default thereof he would undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of one month under 120-B of RPC.
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