J&K features in the 5 most corrupt states of the country. A survey by the Centre for Media Studies shows that J&K is the 5th most corrupt state of India and the most corrupt in North India.
Since J&K is corrupt, one is bound to wonder as to who exactly contributes to this “achievement”. As an answer to this, the State Vigilance Commission, SVC, has issued a list of the 10 most corrupt departments of the State Government. According to a news report by the Daily Excelsior, here is the list
- Public Works/ Engineering
- Rural Development Department
- Revenue Department
- Police Department
- Social Welfare Department
- Health and Medical Education Department
- Power Development Department
- Forest Department
- Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department
- Education Department
The criteria for determining these “champions” was the number of complaints received against the said departments over the last four years. Here are some brief notorious traits of these departments which have resulted in their being featured in the list
Public Works/ Engineering Departments:
- Withdrawal of payments against non executed/ non existent works
- Execution of works without inviting tenders
- Use of substandard material
Rural Development Department:
- Withdrawal of payments against non executed/ non existent works
- Allotment of work on fake job cards
- Allotment of work to ineligible persons
- Misappropriating financial assistance under IAY scheme
Read also: Department of Geology and Mining strikes huge natural reserves in Kargil
Revenue Department:
- Fraudulent mutations in violation of prescribed norms
- Tampering of revenue records in exchange of monetary benefits
- Demanding bribe for issuance of revenue extracts
- Facilitating illegal sale of State, forest and community lands
Police Department:
- False implication of people
- Seeking bribe for closing cases
- Demanding benefits for passport verification
Social Welfare Department:
- Misappropriation of funds meant for down trodden sections of the society
- Illegal engagement of Anganwari workers and helpers
Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department
- Misappropriation of ration
- Pilferage of ration and kerosene oil
- Black marketing
Health and Medical Education Department
- Corruption in purchase of medicines and equipment for hospitals
- Diverting patients from Government hospitals to private establishments
- Doing private practice during office hours
Power Development Department
- Grant of illegal power connections
- Conniving theft of electricity
- Inaction against illegal consumers
- Procurement of supplies on exorbitant rates
Forest Department
- Illegal felling of green trees by timber smugglers
- Encroachment over forest land in connivance with the field officers
- Undervaluation of forest produce
School Education Department
- Appointment of ReTs in violation of norms
- Misappropriation of funds drawn on account of Mid Day Meals Scheme
- Procurement of sub-standard food for Mid Day Meals
- Misappropriation of funds under SSA scheme
