JAMMU, DECEMBER 15: Seven National Conference ministers were dismissed by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday citing corruption and non-performance he reason for their dismissal.Farroq has also changed the portfolios of few others with the less important ones, in view of the complaints of corruption, nepotism and non-performance against them. At the same time, he has suitably rewarded those having a clean image by allocating them important portfolios.Sources said former Housing and Urban Development Minister Moulvi Ifitkar Hussain Ansari, was recently indicted by the Crime Branch in a scam pertaining to the development of the proposed Sidhra township. This was not the only case against him, as he was earlier accused by the Sales Tax Department of evading tax worth over Rs 34 crore.Similarly, the former Minister for School Education Mohammad Sharief Tariq, had been caught in a controversy over the appointments to class IV vacancies. The Director School Education had stayed those appointments, following complaints that the ministers had got the appointments made through the chief education officers either on monetary considerations or to adjust his own relatives.However, the minister reportedly got the Director's order stayed through the Education Secretary. Later, the appointments were challenged by some aggrieved candidates in the State High Court.Though there were not any corruption charges against the former Industries Minister Bodh Raj Bali, he was often accused of non-performance. A member of the State Legislative Council, Bali had annoyed the party high command by refusing to contest the last parliamentary elections from Jammu Lok Sabha constituency.Similarly, the former Minister of State for Health Govind Ram Sharma was charged with indulging in nepotism. The former Agriculture Minister Nissar Ahmed Khan, besides Minister of State for Power Syed Abdul Rashid, and Minister of State for Revenue Safdhar Ali Beg, were also accused of non-performance.To clear the image of his Government from corruption, nepotism and non-performance, the Chief Minister also changed the portfolios of many senior ministers.In this connection, sources said that Mohammad Shafi has been shifted from finance and given a less important education portfolio. Pointing out that apart from complaints of nepotism and corruption, the Chief Minister was also not happy over his way of handling the State's finances. Not only this, he had also refused to contest the last Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, forcing the party high command to field another candidate.Similarly, apart from non-performance due to his health, Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo, who had been troubled waters due to his family members from time to time. Recently, he was caught in controversy over the smuggling of timber outside the State. Though his son was later exonerated of the charge, the State Forest Corporation had black-listed him for having sub-letted his contract to someone else.Apart from punishing the tainted ones, Farooq also rewarded those with clean image. Abdul Raheem Rather, who held Rural Development, was allocated Finance. Ali Mohammad Sagar, who only held PHE portfolio, has been given works, while Ajatshatru Singh has been given Information and Transport. Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, who only held the Forest portfolio, has been given Agriculture, Rurural Development and Cooperatives.Similarly, S S Salathia was given the important Tourism portfolio and Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah (Forests). Earlier, both used to hold Animal Husbandry and Haj and Gardens portfolios respectively.Not only this, Farooq also allowed P L Handoo to continue as Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, besides Ajay Sadhotra as Minister of State for Food and Supplies, and Mustaq Ahmed Lone as Minister of State for Home.
