STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a major development, the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Jammu & Kashmir, has issued a decisive order directing strict action against the Managing Director of the J&K Cooperative Housing Corporation Ltd. (JKCHC) after an inquiry confirmed serious statutory, administrative, and financial irregularities. The action follows multiple complaints filed by JKCHC employees and a public grievance forwarded through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to Order No. 59-RCS/SS of 2025, the inquiry established that the statutory service rules prescribed under SRO-233 of 1988 were violated, and the continuation of Managing Director Bharat Bhushan beyond his superannuation date-March 31, 2020-was “void ab initio” and issued without any legal authority. The committee also highlighted persistent governance lapses, non-submission of statutory audit records, and concealment of information related to ongoing projects.
The comprehensive inquiry, headed by the Joint Registrar (Audit), was constituted in December 2024 after repeated references from the Administrative Department and the Chief Secretary’s office. It examined allegations of unauthorized continuation in service, misuse of power, and financial irregularities involving large sums of public funds.
Acting on the recommendations, the Administrative Department has now directed initiation of recovery proceedings against the Managing Director for the salary and benefits drawn during the unauthorized period of service.
The Registrar Mohammad Shafiq Chak has instructed the JKCHC Board of Directors to ensure the compliance with SRO-233 and confirmation of the MD’s superannuation as of March 31, 2020, recovery of all salary and financial benefits drawn illegally thereafter and submission of a compliance report within 10 days, no future re-employment or extension in violation of statutory rules, and initiation of a fresh appointment process for a new MD within seven days within strict timelines.
The order has taken immediate effect, with non-compliance attracting action under Section 30 of the J&K Cooperative Societies Act, 1989. This order has been circulated to all relevant authorities for urgent compliance, marking a strong move towards accountability and transparency within the cooperative sector.