Describing the anonymous complaint with the anti-corruption body, State Accountability Commission (SAC), part of “vilification campaign” against him, Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday refuted all allegations of corruption against him and claimed he had no role in allotment of Rs 2-crore smart card project to anyone or his son.
Reacting to the SAC notice seeking his response on outsourcing of Rs 28 lakh project to J&K Bank in preparing biometric attendance monitoring system through smart cards,
Rather pleaded innocence during a press conference in Jammu.
“The project was sanctioned by the information technology ministry and given to J&K Bank for execution. The finance department has nothing to do with it. Though a query was raised in its procedure by the finance department but the lapse was later condoned by the cabinet,” said Rather, adding “no paper was signed by me.”
An unknown group of people filed a complaint through the Yuva Shakti Vikas Mission before the commission, which observed that the government’s action in outsourcing the project to the J&K Bank appears unjustified and asked the finance minister to file his response.
“I am filing my response to the commission and have faith in it. I hope it will do justice and take action against those while filed the false complaint as per the rules,” said the finance minister.
{{/usCountry}}“I am filing my response to the commission and have faith in it. I hope it will do justice and take action against those while filed the false complaint as per the rules,” said the finance minister.
{{/usCountry}}The minister also denied any hand in two other corruption allegations, which include embezzlement of money through a treaty made for Rs 12-crore Computerised Personal Information System (CPIS) project and violation of formalities to do a mapping project as part of Rs 356 crore Dal lake conservation plan. “Even the SAC inquiry has that the Lakes And Waterways Development Agency has not awarded any contract so far.