Fake names in J-K quake relief list

When J-K officials finally prepared a list of victims in Kamalkote — the worst-hit cluster of villages in Uri — 30 families living...

When J-K officials finally prepared a list of victims in Kamalkote — the worst-hit cluster of villages in Uri — 30 families living across the Line of Control in Muzaffarabad too were put as claimants for compensation. The government investigations, however, uncovered the hoax and six officials were suspended.

Also, there were at least 150 fake claimants in Kamalkote for the government’s compensation for Rs 1 lakh to each family that lost a house in the quake.

The government survey found that around 650 claimants were put in the list in Kamalkote. But after 30 cheques of Rs 40,000 were distributed, the government received complaints that some claimants were fictitious. ‘‘The distribution was stopped and a re-verification was conducted. There were 150 fake claimants and 30 of them are living in PoK,’’ an officer said.

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‘‘Around 30 of them are living in Muzaffarabad and these are the men who had crossed the LoC years back,’’ Uri Relief Commissioner Bashir Ahmad Runiyal said. ‘‘After we detected them, we have placed six of our employees involved in the fraud under suspension.’’

While the authorities have suspended some officials, sources, however, said no action was taken against an officer close to senior Congress minister Taj Mohiuddin, allegedly also involved in the scam. ‘‘He also incorporated several fake names in the list and is still dictating the terms,’’ an officer said.

Taj Mohiuddin, however, said he would resign if it is proved that the particular officer is involved. ‘‘The six employees were suspended at my behest. If the particular officer is involved, there will be proper action against him,’’ he said.