Within less than six years influential officer raised to grade pay equivalent to IAS officer at behest of Director
Shocking it may sound but it is true that Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneur Development Institute (JKEDI) has apparently created a safe haven for accommodating and adjusting blue eyed candidates at the behest of incumbent Director.
In a glaring example, an influential officer, who had experience of casual labour was appointed to the post with grade pay equivalent to junior scale KAS officer. “A lady officer, who was appointed as Jr. Stenographer on contract for a period of two years vide order No. EDI-83 of 2007 dated 11.9.2007 and her services were regularized vide order No. EDI-141 of 2009 dated 19.9.2009,” said sources, adding that later on the Institute advertised post of Executive Assistant to Director on Stop Gap Arrangement. The eligibility for the post was Graduate with a speed of 70 words per minute in Shorthand and work experience of five years.
Sources maintained that the lady officer was earlier working as Casual Labour on Need Basis in Water Works Division Srinagar. Her experience as Casual Labour on need basis was considered fraudulently by the Director for the post of Executive Assistant, which is equivalent to the post of Junior Scale KAS Officer.
“Later on in the month of March, 2013 she was adjusted as Executive Secretary to the Director in the 4thpay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.6600/- without any order and procedure,” alleged sources, adding that by this type of fraud by the Director, she gained the experience of five years and was promoted as Sr. Manager in the pay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.7600/- which is equivalent to the Grade of Sr Scale IAS officer.
Moreover, sources said that there were six posts of Training Associates available in the Institute. Dheeraj Handoo, Irshad Kar, Sabia Manzoor, Akhter Bashir and Ishfaq Ahmad Dar were appointed against five post and one post was kept deliberately vacant.
“Sixth post of Training Associate was advertised and Vijay Kumar was appointed and as per the minutes, sister of influential lady officer was appointed under waiting list as the seventh candidate against the sanctioned strength of six posts which is totally a fraud and damage to the state exchequer,” said sources, adding that all these malpractices were held at the behest of incumbent director-JKEDI that too violating the very mandate of the institute.
