DEPRIVED CRY; GOVT DENY...?

Corruption, influence and bureaucratic nexus on suppressing spree in J&K

Omar either helpless or under pressure

JAMMU, JAN 10: Gone are the days, when deserving were getting their due on the basis of performance, intelligence and hard work. The time has taken a reverse turn and now the poor citizens of Jammu and Kashmir society are being suppressed with money, influence, corruption. Next to militancy; political affiliations/influence, bureaucratic nexus and the corruption are emerging as major threat for the Jammu and Kashmir society due to which those people who have no influence and money power are being suppressed and denied of their rights. It was January, 5 2008 when Omar Abdullah took over as the youngest Chief Minister (CM) of Jammu and Kashmir renewing the hope of ensuring corruption free administration of society but Omar too could not do anything against corruption and now it seems that young CM of J&K is either helpless or under pressure when it comes to fight the corruption and injustice. Exclusive investigations have managed to unearth several cases which will expose, how political affiliations/influence and bureaucratic nexus in J&K is emerging as a major threat becoming a cause of suppression against the deserving, and poor aspirants. Shouldering the social responsibility to bring the truth in front of every J&K citizen and questioning the credibility of politicians and the government, has started a news series under title, ‘DEPRIVED CRY; GOVT DENY’ from today. In each part under ‘DEPRIVED CRY; GOVT DENY’ a startling investigation will be published which not only will expose the working of J&K Govt but will also question the integrity of government which in high pitched raises the slogans of ensuring corruption free and transparent administration. We have decided to start with Social Welfare Department. Today we will disclose a case wherein a deserving candidate was denied of her rights just for Rs 20, 000 because some corrupt officers managed to engaged another candidate which, however happened, but, was not possible without the consent of district level authorities. Samreena Bagum wife of Rehmatullah Mir R/o Gundana in Doda is victim of corruption ‘even after charging Rs 10,000 from her because she could not afford more as was demanded by the officials of CDPO, Gundna.’ Someone has rightly said that money speaks and it was proved by the CDPO Gundna who allegedly charged Rs 20, 000 from another candidate namely Gulnaza Bagum W/o Muzaffar Hussain R/o Gundana Doda for getting her engaged. When it comes to corruption Rs 10, 000 really makes a big difference, even to a extent a deserving can be denied, deprived and depressed, this was proved by the Social Welfare Department in Doda district. It will be worth mentioning here that Gulnaza Bagum W/o Muzaffar Hussain R/o Gundana Doda was engaged as Anganwari Worker in Ward No-3 while she was resident of Ward No-4. According to voter list and Ward Certificate issued by Block Development Officer (BDO), Gulnaza Bagum was resident of Ward No-4, but was engaged in Ward No 3. The deserving candidate being the resident of Ward No-3, Samreena Bagum wife of Rehmatullah Mir R/o Gundana who filled the form under serial No 113, on 6/5/2008 for Ward No-3 with the CDPO Gundna in Doda, was denied. During investigations was found tempered. BDO Gundna has verified Samreena as resident of Ward No- 3 and Gulnaza as resident of Ward-No-4. CDPO, Gundna, Roshan Lal after verifying the records admitted that injustice has been done with the Samreena Bagum. “ I have verified that Samreena is resident of Ward No-3 while Gulnaza is resident of Ward No-4 and the former has been denied of her right”, Roshan admitted. When contacted Block Development Officer (BDO), Gundna Ghulam Ahmed said that the matter needs to be verified to get the exact picture. Relevant to mention here that as seen in the past, it has been found that inquiries are ordered which are mostly done by the district level officer, During investigations it has been found that such cases in maximum are done under the nose and in connivance of district level officers which is major reason behind increasing injustice with the deserving. So the need of the hour is to bring a change in the traditional approach and evolve an independent inquiry so the dying hope of poor people/aspirants could be restored. (Don’t forget to read the next exclusive investigative report).