Probe over financial discrepancy in J&K bank demanded
18 Jun, 2014Three years back, an application was filed in the J&K Bank to get information about various alleged malpractices but no reply was received with the bank management taking a plea that it is not a public authority. The response of a plea filing a of complaint before State Information Commission (SIC) which after full considerations, came to conclusion that J&K Bank is a public authority. In an order passed by the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) G R Sufi, the J&K bank management was directed to provide full information to the applicant. However, the bank preferred a writ petition in the State High Court which is still pending for disposal.
RTI activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat has demanded probe into improper financial dealings and host of backdoor appointments in J&K Bank and also asked for immediate resignation of finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather. He has sought an investigation headed by a sitting judge of the high court so as to unearth a series of scams alleged against J&K Bank especially vis-à-vis back door appointments. Bhat has raised allegations against the back door appointments, the matter of NPA, installation of Aircel phones by the son of finance minister, publishing of annual diaries, calendars and bank stationery, misuse of funds under corporate social responsibility and other matters including low rate interest advancement of home loans to bank employees, engagement of retired bank officials as so called auditors etc. and has demanded a probe in these issues.