Panthers Party demands probe, holds protest

Panthers Party demands probe, holds protest Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 14
Alleging that Jammu and Kashmir Bank had committed various irregularities in recruitments recently, the Panthers Party held a protest outside the zonal office of the bank here today and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

The protesters alleged that the bank committed irregularities in making recruitments at various levels and discriminated against the candidates from the Jammu region.

“The bank neither followed the prescribed procedure for selections nor it published any list of selected candidates to conceal its shady affairs as well as its bias against the Jammu region,” said Faqir Nath, a former MLA from Chenani.

Shouting slogans against the bank authorities, he demanded a probe into
all the recruitments
made recently.

Faqir added, “The concealing of the final selection list by the bank and issuing individual call letters to the selected candidates was sufficient to support the apprehensions and contentions of the aggrieved youth of the Jammu region.”

He alleged, “Of 1,600 recruitments made recently, 1,200 recruits were from the Kashmir valley. It is a clear case of discrimination against the youth of the Jammu region. Our youth are well educated and they should be given their due share.”

At present, the state government is holding 53 per cent share in the bank, which makes it answerable and accountable to the people, the protesters said.

Demanding the suspension of the chairman of the bank, the protesters urged Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather to order a thorough probe into the issue. The Panthers Party leaders also warned the government that they would take up the issue in the coming session of the Legislative Assembly.

Sajjad Bazaz, spokesperson for the bank in Srinagar, while talking to The Tribune over the phone, said, “The most transparent method was adopted by the bank in recruitments. Everything has been done in a fair manner. Those who have been recruited have cleared the written test and interview. As everyone has a right to protest, they can also lodge their protest.”