Srinagar, June 28: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (PC) president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Sunday intensified his attack on the National Conference (NC) government over the issue of outsourcing, alleging that the ruling dispensation had continued and encouraged the policy despite having the opportunity to stop it.
In a statement, Lone said he would place “every fact” related to outsourcing in the public domain within a week and asked the NC to be prepared to answer questions on the issue.
While acknowledging that the outsourcing policy did not originate under the present government, Lone alleged that the NC had not only allowed it to continue but had also encouraged it after assuming office.
He further alleged that the outsourcing system was vulnerable to “corrupt collusion” and claimed to possess information supporting his allegations, indicating that more details would be disclosed shortly.
Lone also referred to a starred question he had raised in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, seeking details from the General Administration Department on the number of outsourced jobs, the agencies engaged, payments made to outsourcing firms, salary norms for outsourced employees and a department-wise break-up of such appointments.
According to Lone, while the government responded to parts of the query, it did not answer questions regarding the objectives of outsourcing or whether it intended to encourage or discourage the practice as a matter of policy.
Calling the omission significant, Lone said the government’s silence on these issues raised serious questions and asserted that further disclosures on the outsourcing policy would be made within a week.
