Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an investigation into serious allegations surrounding the appointment of Naheed Jabeen, the Deputy Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing. She is accused of securing her position as Assistant Grading and Marketing Officer (AGMO) in 2000 without meeting the required qualifications.
Director Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Vikas Sharma, who is leading the inquiry, told Kashmir Horizon that they are actively investigating the matter and will submit the report to the government soon. The government has set deadline for the submission of a detailed report, including recommendations, he said.
Earlier the suspension order, issued under Government Order No. 486-JK (APD) of 2024, has also appointed Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Under Secretary to the Government, as the presenting officer for the case. Pending the inquiry, Jabeen has been attached to the Administrative Department at the Civil Secretariat.
The controversy began with the 1997 recruitment process for ten AGMO positions in the Agriculture Production Department, advertised by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Applicants were required to hold:
– A Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a Diploma in Agriculture Marketing, Commerce degree with the same diploma, or BSc in Agriculture with a diploma in Marketing Management.
Naheed Jabeen, possessing only a BSc qualification, applied for the role and was selected in 2000 under the Open Merit category. She later produced a Diploma in Marketing Management, which did not meet the specified criteria. Despite these discrepancies, Jabeen’s appointment was formalized without proper verification of her academic credentials.
The issue gained prominence when another candidate, Arvind Kumar Kotwal, filed a writ petition in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The court, while denying Kotwal’s petition for appointment due to his own ineligibility, acknowledged that multiple candidates, including Jabeen, had been appointed despite not meeting the qualifications.
Shockingly, Jabeen has continued to hold several key positions, including Assistant Grading and Marketing Officer, Area Marketing Officer, and Deputy Director, over the last 23 years without any scrutiny of her academic and technical qualifications.
The government’s decision to suspend Jabeen comes amid increasing calls for transparency and adherence to recruitment norms. Officials emphasized the importance of addressing such irregularities to restore faith in public administration.
“The case highlights the need for strict verification processes and accountability in government appointments,” said a senior official.
He said that as the investigation progresses, it is expected to shed light on how such lapses occurred and pave the way for corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The findings will be closely watched, given their potential implications for other public sector appointments in the region, the official added.
