SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the President of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, to reconsider the decision to blacklist contractors who have been accused of corruption and irregularities.
In a letter addressed to Sinha and Shah, Mufti argued that while she fully supports efforts to combat corruption and ensure transparency in public contracts, the decision to blacklist contractors without a fair and impartial investigation could lead to the victimization of innocent individuals and harm the overall economy of the region.
Mufti also expressed concern over the impact of the decision on local businesses and contractors, who are already facing multiple challenges due to the pandemic and the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision to blacklist contractors was taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration earlier this week, based on a report by the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) which found evidence of irregularities and financial mismanagement in several public contracts awarded by the Public Works Department (PWD).
The blacklisted contractors will be barred from participating in any future tenders or contracts issued by the PWD or any other government department for a period of five years. The decision has been hailed by many as a step towards ensuring greater accountability and transparency in public procurement, but it has also sparked concerns over the potential impact on the livelihoods of affected contractors and their employees.
