AARYAN SHARMA
JAMMU: Working of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) in Jammu and Kashmir has come under scrutiny following certain developments which raise many an eyebrows and question marks over the conduct and intention of prime ‘movers and shakers’ of the department.
The image of the department is already sullied in the eyes of the consumers amid reports of supply of poor quality of ration, pilferage from its store rooms and manipulation in even weighing machines.
Preparation of new lists of ration card holders under BPL and APL has never been satisfactory, pointing towards deep rooted nexus between the senior officials of the department who collectively indulge in open loot of ration to ensure its supply to black-marketeers for earning easy money.
At least 85 senior and junior rung officials of the department are currently facing charges of embezzlement and other forms of corruption.
But recently when CAPD Minister, who is laboriously working to check pilferage and root out corruption from the department, awarded employees of the CAPD department in Budgam for their excellence in services it again raised many an eyebrows as hard working employees working overtime for successful implementation of National Food Security Act scheme were left out and those enjoying close proximity of the minister were rewarded in the presence of workaholics.
One such employee turned out to be Zakir Ahmad Bhallesi, working as Public Relation Officer of CAPD Minister Zulfkar Ali Choudhary.
According to CAPD officers, the mandate of the PRO is to publicise press notes and drafting them after attending the meetings chaired by the Minister. “How can he be recommended for something which he has not achieved or even handled in the recent months” If someone in the CAPD is ready to prove PRO of a minister was handling the important files it also raises question marks on the working of the department and the hierarchy.
As per an official handout, issued by the department, Zakir Bhallesi was awarded for his excellent performance in programme implementation of NFSA. According to them if it is so he must be enjoying access to the files and day to day working of the department at the highest level. It is only in that capacity he can achieve excellence in ensuring its implementation, the disgruntled employees of the CAPD department claimed.
The award was presented to Zakir Bhallesi at DC Office Complex Budgam by CAPD Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali in presence of Legislators of Budgam, Deputy Commissioner Badgam, Director CAPD Kashmir, Joint Director Kashmir, Deputy Directors and senior officers of state government.
Zakir Malik Bhallesi is an employee of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University who is on deputation with State Government and GAD has deputed him as PRO with Minister CAPD.
The award was given to him for his outstanding services in the department particularly in implementation of NFSA in the state. Earlier he was honoured with Award of Excellence for his best services in the CAPD department during 2015-16 year.
