Bungling in Kashmir

Some 400 babus face charges of corruption, but the Government has no time to act

The recent and not-so-recent violence in the Kashmir Valley has often been attributed to the political aspirations of its people. But a large part of the problem also stems from the fact that, as in most of the insurgency-prone areas of this country, corruption and large-scale bungling by government officials often get ignored. 

The Jammu & Kashmir government has just released a list of 400 babus, including bureaucrats from the Central and state civil services, who are facing serious charges of corruption. This includes charges of disproportionate assets, misuse of official position, and other gross irregularities. But till date, the state government has been unable to prosecute any of these tainted officials.

The listed people include a former minister, three IAS officers—including one serving officer—a KAS officer and two IFS officers. The list was released by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself in the Legislative Assembly in response to a written query from an MLA. 

Omar Abdullah is at the centre of a storm after his government was held responsible by various quarters for its inept handling of the current imbroglio in Kashmir. Though he is trying hard to shed his Monday-to-Friday CM image, the fact that Omar has shown no urgency in prosecuting these officers has not gone down well with the people. People are also agitated because a number of officers on the list are still serving and enjoying every facility accorded to them by virtue of holding their post. 

When Omar Abdullah assumed power, he began with the promise of clean and transparent governance. But the long list of babus who have been under the scanner for long—with no single action taken against those on the list—makes it clear that all those sweet words of good governance were merely empty promises. The insurgency in Kashmir, like in other insurgency-hit areas, has turned into a convenient alibi for misgovernance. When Omar Abdullah begins his ‘healing process’, he must keep handy this list of corrupt officials if he is serious about continuing in office—keep it handy and act on it as well. Swiftly. 

KashmirOmar Abdullah