If the allegation leveled by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary against the previous regime that the treasuries were left empty when Omar Abdullah took over the reins as the Chief Minister comes to be true, the same could have serious ramifications.
The statement that all the treasuries were empty when Omar took over the charge is a direct attack on the helmsman viz LG Manoj Sinha, who was ruling the UT before the inception of the NC government. This claim by the Dy CM has the potential to spark a big row over the issue as to how a person sitting on a constitutional position like LG can allow such a thing to happen under his realm. Although such political statements are common in the arena of politics across the country, as far as J&K is concerned, despite losing its special status granted under Article 370 of the constitution, the Union Territory remains exclusive and special in many terms. Someone sitting at such a coveted post of Deputy Chief Minister making such claims makes it necessary to check the veracity of the same, as remaining silent means admitting the accusation.
However, if the coffers were indeed empty, then how did the Chief Minister manage to purchase new luxury cars? First, there were 90 vehicles for MLAs, and then came eight shiny Toyota Fortuners for the CM’s convoy—amounting to nearly Rs 18 crores spent on fresh cars. If funds were in shortage, why did the Chief Minister prefer to buy eight brand-new Fortuners for his entourage instead of addressing the pressing needs of the common people?
It seems to have become a trend that every time a new government assumes office, the first priority is to buy luxury vehicles for the Chief Ministers and some other ministers. If there was indeed a shortage of funds in the treasuries, why couldn’t the existing fleet be used? Even the furniture fixers, furnishing items and bathroom fittings including the toilet seats at office and official residence have been always replaced by every chief minister.
The J&K Government already has a substantial fleet of luxury vehicles at its disposal. What right does the Chief Minister have to vandalize public funds in this manner if there was a shortage in the treasuries?
It is imperative for LG Manoj Sinha to respond and dispel the doubts created in the minds of the people by the Dy CM’s statement. For this, an independent enquiry should be initiated to unravel the mystery because, at no point before the NC government came to power, were there reports of depleting funds or financial deficiency. Every time, the administration boasted that the government had sufficient, even surplus, funds to ensure colossal development in J&K and bring it at par with developed states across the country. Where did these funds vanish? This is a matter of investigation because, under the present financial management system, not even a dime can be siphoned off—especially when the policy of zero tolerance against corruption, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is in place in J&K.
