Internal probe identifies 4 employees, but no action taken SMC appoints, promotes officials on fake certificates

By Izhar Nazir Ali

Srinagar: At least four people have managed to get employment in Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) by producing fake certificates. An internal probe has established the crime, but no action has been taken against the culprits even as one of them retired from the service last year.In 2010, the SMC ordered a probe after receiving a complaint that 25 of its employees who had been appointed, and later promoted as well, had produced fake certificates at the time of their recruitment.The accused were asked on December 20, 2010 (vide order No. SMC/Estb. Gen/2185-2211) to submit their original qualification certificates. Four months later on March 28, 2011, the corporation shot a reminder (vide no: SMC/Estb. Gen/1584-1608) to the officials.

Reliable sources told Kashmir Reader that out of the 25 employees, 11 submitted their matriculation certificates before the SMC authorities. The certificates were referred to Secretary, J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) for authentication.

Among the 11 employees, certificates of seven were confirmed as authentic by the BOSE, while certificates of the remaining four were found fake.

The four persons who had managed to get jobs in the corporation by producing fake certificates were identified as Jalal-ud-Din Bhat (Senior Assistant Store Keeper, Electric) Mohammad Shafi Khan (Senior Assistant, Revenue Section) Mohammad Younis Lone (ATI, W-12) and Bashir Ahmad Dar (Senior Assistant). Dar retired from the services last year. No action was, however, taken against the culprits for unknown reasons.

Meanwhile, the 14 more employees who were also under scanner did not submit their certificates for verification despite repeated reminders. Later, the SMC’s Senior Law Officer, Syed Afzal Qazi, was asked to conduct an enquiry into the matter. The Law Officer issued summons asking the employees in question to appear before him along with relevant qualification certificates. However, the accused again failed to appear before him.

The officials who have not submitted their qualification certificates for verification include: Abdur Rashid Yatoo (Senior Assistant, Cattle Pond), Mohammad Amin Sheikh ( Senior Assistant, Disposal Section), Meraj-ud-Din Sheikh (Senior Assistant, Sanitation Officer, East), Aijaz Ahmad Khan (Senior Assistant, Works Division, Left),  Abdur Rashid Bhat (Senior Assistant, Works Division, Left), Aisha Bano (Junior Assistant, Compost Section), Mohammad Shafi Zargar (Junior Assistant, Estates Section), Altaf Ahmad Ganai (Junior Assistant, Revenue Section), Showkat Ahmad Shaikh (Junior Assistant, Gestener Operator Section), and Ghulam Mohammad Bhat (B&D Reporter).

“Whereas, an ample opportunity has been granted to them and they have failed to explain the facts or furnish authentic documents in support of their claim and qualification,” reads a notice (Gen/Estb/41954214) issued by the Joint Commissioner (Administration) SMC dated 28.01.2013 to the employees.

“Under these circumstances, they are given last and final opportunity to appear before the Senior Law Officer within seven days and furnish the authentic documents in support of their claim to facilitate the conduct of enquiry.”

The SMC, according to the official document, has asked the 14 employees to give reasons within 15 days as to why they shall not be reverted to original posts which they were holding prior to their promotion on the basis of submitting fake certificates and appropriate action taken against them under rules for furnishing fake documents.

Joint Commissioner, SMC, Fayaz Ahmad Bala told Kashmir Reader that the ongoing investigation was a “routine process” that is carried out on regular basis. SMC, he said had sent some certificates to the BOSE for verification.

“Some of the certificates have been authenticated by the BOSE authorities. The case is still under investigation,” he added.

When asked if any certificate turned out to be fake, Bala said, “I don’t have any information if the board has found some certificates fake. The file has not reached me so far. It might be with the administrative section. Stern action as per law will be taken against the employees found guilty of producing fake certificates.”

A major scam surfaced in the corporation last year involving at least six employees. The modus operandi of the accused was to dupe their colleagues by diverting GP Fund into fictitious accounts, and later diverting the same into their own accounts.