Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 10: A startling case has emerged involving a man from Awantipora in South Kashmir, who managed to hold positions in both the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department in Pulwama by changing his identity, leaving the authorities red-faced and prompting necessary action.
The accused, identified as Javid Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Shaban Bhat, and resident of Chersoo Awantipora, was initially appointed to the SMC in the year 2002.
Shockingly, it has been revealed that he also held a position as a Fair Price Shop dealer in the FCS&CA Department continuously from 2004 until 2017. During this period, he managed to transfer the license to his daughter’s name, evading detection.
The irregularity came to light following a complaint received from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and other sources, as highlighted by the Assistant Director of FCS&CA, Pulwama, in an issued order.
The AD Pulwama, in the order related to the suspension of his FPS license, stated, “…while perusing the service records of the above person, it came to fore that Javid Ahmad Bhat S/o Mohammad Shaban Bhat R/o Chersoo Awantipora has changed his name to Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh S/o Bashir Ahmad Sheikh R/o Narwara Safa Kadal Eidgah Srinagar in actual and the photograph attached with his service book at SMC Office has authenticated that Javid Ahmad Bhat and Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh is one person.”
The official communication highlighted the significant financial impact of this deception on the state exchequer, as the accused was allegedly withdrawing commissions from the FCS&CA Department and a monthly salary from the SMC.
It said that the law strictly prohibits an individual from holding two government positions simultaneously, making him liable for criminal prosecution.
In response, AD Pulwama issued an immediate suspension of the Fair Price Shop license under the name of Javid Ahmad Bhat’s daughter, and the monthly quota has been diverted to the nearest sales centre.
Additionally, the concerned authorities have written to the Economic Offence Wing of the Crime Branch, seeking necessary action. The letter read, “It is requested to kindly lodge an FIR against Javid Ahmad Bhat for his criminal conspiracy under relevant sections of the law, and the recovery of the money be affected as well, and further necessary proceedings may be initiated as per the law.”
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