If Omar Abdullah takes action against his minister, I will provide every piece of evidence. Anyone in the government can ask me for proof and I am ready to submit everything,” Raina said.
Jammu, May 17: Former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the government led by Omar Abdullah, alleging that a “massive transfer corruption racket” was flourishing within the administration, with officials allegedly being forced to pay huge sums for lucrative postings.
Speaking to News Insider 24×7 Founder Editor Masood Malik during an interview, Raina claimed that transfers of XENs, AEEs and JEs in several government departments were allegedly being “sold” and asserted that he possesses documentary proof to back his allegations.
“If Omar Abdullah takes action against his minister, I will provide every piece of evidence. Anyone in the government can ask me for proof and I am ready to submit everything,” Raina said.
Escalating his attack further, Raina alleged that officers were first made to pay money for securing transfers and were later allegedly asked to pay again for “re-modification” if the postings were not made at preferred locations.
He warned that continued silence from the government would only strengthen public suspicion regarding the allegations.
“If no action is taken, people will believe that the minister has been kept there to collect money for the ruling setup,” he alleged.
Though Raina did not directly name any minister, political observers are viewing the remarks as an indirect swipe at the Deputy Chief Minister.
The allegations come at a time when the Omar Abdullah-led government is already facing criticism from opposition parties over alleged irregularities in transfers and postings across departments.
Earlier, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had alleged that a senior minister demanded Rs 30 lakh from an officer in exchange for a transfer. She had also claimed that even National Conference workers were allegedly being asked to arrange money for postings.
Adding to the pressure on the government, Sajad Gani Lone recently alleged that corruption in transfers had reached “unprecedented levels” under the present administration.
So far, neither the Chief Minister’s Office nor the Deputy Chief Minister has issued any official response to the allegations, even as opposition leaders intensify their attack over what they describe as a “transfer industry” operating within the government.
