||Black and White Digital News ||

||August ||19,2024 ||

Jammu: Senior Advocate Sheikh Shakeel has reignited a significant financial controversy, questioning the closure of a ₹33 crore Non-Performing Asset (NPA) loan related to the Himgiri Power Project. This issue, which implicates key BJP leaders, has become a focal point of Shakeel’s demand for transparency and accountability from both the Jammu & Kashmir Bank and the involved political figures.

Shakeel has directed his inquiries specifically at Jugal Kishore, Member of Parliament (MP); Dr. Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister (CM); and Kavinder Gupta, also a former Deputy CM. He has also called on Baldev Raj, the Managing Director (MD) of J&K Bank, to issue a white paper detailing how the loan was settled.

Key Questions Raised by Sheikh Shakeel:

Details of Loan Closure:Shakeel is demanding clarity on how the ₹33 crore NPA loan was closed, including specifics on the approval process and the final settlement amount.

Authority Behind the Approval:He seeks to know who within the bank or government authorized the closure of the loan, questioning whether standard procedures were followed.

Comparative Treatment of NPAs:Shakeel is highlighting the disparity in the treatment of NPA accounts, questioning why other NPA accounts are not being resolved in a similar manner, suggesting preferential treatment for BJP members.

Possible Misuse of Public Funds:By suggesting that public money is being misused to benefit a few, Shakeel is appealing to the broader public to demand accountability from these BJP leaders during their election campaign visits.

Lack of Response from NC, PDP, and Congress Leaders:

While Sheikh Shakeel’s questions have sparked a public outcry, what has been equally striking is the silence from senior leaders of the National Conference (NC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Congress. Figures like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and other prominent opposition leaders have yet to issue any statements regarding the matter, raising questions about their silence.

Possible Reasons for the Silence:

Shakeel has insinuated that the lack of response from these leaders might indicate their own vulnerabilities or complicit interests in similar matters. The silence could suggest that these opposition figures are reluctant to speak out, possibly due to their own political or financial weaknesses, which might come under scrutiny if they choose to address the issue.

This controversy is not new. During the last Lok Sabha elections, Sheikh Shakeel raised similar concerns, but no answers were provided. Despite submitting written complaints to the Election Commission and the District Commissioner (DC) of Jammu, who was the electoral officer at the time, no action was taken.

Renewed Public Appeal:

In his latest social media posts, Shakeel has urged the public to demand answers from these BJP leaders and the J&K Bank during their election campaign visits. His persistent efforts are aimed at holding these figures accountable, particularly as the region heads towards upcoming elections.

The situation underscores broader concerns about governance, financial integrity, and the potential misuse of public funds within Jammu & Kashmir. The silence of opposition leaders further complicates the narrative, suggesting a pervasive issue within the political landscape. As Sheikh Shakeel continues to seek answers, the pressure on BJP leaders and J&K Bank officials to provide transparency is intensifying, with potential ramifications for the upcoming elections.