Srinagar:
Jammu & Kashmir's State Accountability Commission has issued a notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over what it calls is "unlawful" appointment of his advisors. The Chief Minister has been asked to explain his stand to the commission on March 5.
"The posts of advisor and political advisor to the Chief Minister have not been shown to be the creation of any statute or the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir," the commission observed while issuing the notice.
The commission also remarked that the appointment of Mubarak Gul as Mr Abdullah's advisor and Devinder Singh Rana as his political advisor is "nothing but a political favor at the cost of public exchequer." Both Mr Gul and Mr Rana enjoy minister of state status.
"No person unless appointed in accordance with law under the state can legally be entitled to deal with the affairs of the state and the payment of any remuneration therefore. Any appointment made and any remuneration paid without authority of law by the government would be nothing but a political favour at the cost of public exchequer," the commission observed.
"Under scheme of the constitution, however, the executive power of the state is vested in the Governor to be exercised by him directly or through a person or authority as he may direct. No order issued by the governor delegating any such power in favour of the Government or any authority has been brought to our notice as yet," the commission further added.
A Jammu and Kashmir minister has defended Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's appointment of his advisors.
Backing the chief minister, the state government said that it had done nothing wrong in appointing advisors to Mr Abdullah.
The J&K State Accountability Commission is equivalent to the Lokayukta in other states. This is the first major action taken by the commission after it was revived last year.
The commission has also questioned the appointment of chairperson and vice chairpersons of various boards and corporations in the state and the grant of minister of state status to politicians heading them.
Besides Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the commission has also issued notice to 11 others, including his two advisors and the chairpersons of Jammu and Kashmir State Commission, Pahari Speaking Board and Gujjar and Bakerwal Board. They have been asked to appear before the commission in person or through their authorised agents on March 5.
These significant directions from the commission were issued on Friday after a complaint was filed against the chairperson of J&K Social Welfare Board Khem Lata Wakhloo. In the complaint, the complainant had alleged that Ms Wakhloo enjoys the salary, perks and other amenities admissible to a minister of state without being legally entitled for them.