ACB Registers Case Against Horticulture Officials For Fraudulent Shop Allotment In North Kashmir
Baramulla, May 21: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir has registered a case against Mohammad Sultan Teli, the then Deputy Director of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) Department, Kashmir, and Mohammad Ashraf Damnoo, the then Area Marketing Officer of Sopore, along with 48 other individuals for illegal and fraudulent allotment of shop sites at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Nowpora, Sopore.
A Joint Surprise Check (JSC) by the ACB revealed significant irregularities in the allotment process of shops at Fruit Mandi Sopore. The probe was initiated following allegations that the Area Marketing Officer, in collusion with local touts, allotted shops arbitrarily, ignoring bona fide applicants who had submitted their forms and premiums two decades ago.
In 2001, the Department of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) had invited applications for the allotment of 700 shop sites at the Fruit & Vegetable Market in Nowpora Sopore, as per notification No. DHPM/701/2001/1381-92. A total of 595 applications were received, each accompanied by a first premium installment of Rs. 25,000. However, the investigation revealed that the draw of lots, as initially stipulated, was bypassed, and allotments were made arbitrarily.
