Crime Branch questions Naeem Akhtar over ‘irregularities’ in allotting contracts as minister

Srinagar: Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar was questioned in connection with alleged irregularities in allotment of contracts for the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) during his tenure as public works minister.
Official sources said that the former minister was questioned at his residence about giving out work at JKPCC to a specific set of contractors and making some appointments without following the due process.
The questioning revolved around JKPCC work, construction work at the Islamic University in south Kashmir’s Anatnag district and allotment of works for setting up the AIIMS in south Kashmir, they said.
The contracts, they said, were given to such people who had no experience in construction work and had floated companies barely a few days before the tendering process was initiated, the officials said. The inquiry was also into the air-conditioning work of the health department, they said. The minister denied any wrongdoing and said he has cooperated with Crime Branch