J&K ‘missing’ file: Bukhari points finger at Mufti

Srinagar, March 20 (IANS) A former Minister in the Mehbooba Mufti government, here on Wednesday, alleged that the file related to fake state subject certificates vanished at her door during the PDP-BJP rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing reporters, Syed Basharat Bukhari, former PDP leader and Revenue Minister in the Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government, said the file on fake state subject certificates was sent to the Chief Minister's Office. But nobody knows what happened to it, he said.

Though Bukhari did not name Mufti directly, he clearly alluded to her in his allegation. Bukhari has since left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the National Conference (NC).

People in the PDP blamed Bukhari for "having slept" over the file during his term as the Revenue Minister.

"The file, along with specific recommendations, was sent to the then Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) for approval wherefrom it didn't come back till I held the portfolio," he said.

"I raised the issue in the cabinet and briefed it about the violations that had been committed by officers. It triggered a heated debate as BJP ministers were also there, but I didn't relent and put across my views.

"I also moved a note along with recommendations to the then Chief Minister seeking her approval for not only the cancellation of 136 fraudulently issued state subject certificates, but also sought action against the officers involved," Bukhari said.

Under the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) rules of the state, only those who are defined as first class state subjects by the state legislature are issued state subject certificates and can buy property in the state.