Srinagar, Mar 27(KMW): Former finance minister Haseeb has landed in a fresh controvers. It has come to the fore that he is holding ‘office of profit’ without mentioning before Chief Election Commissioner while filing the nomination papers.
Pertinently, Drabu was earlier sacked from state cabinet over his controversial remarks on Kashmir.
According to sources, Drabu holds the position of ‘Director’ at Kahnov Realty Private Limited, registered on 07 July 2011 contrary to the constitutional law that the representatives cannot hold an office of profit under section 9 (A) of the Representation of People Act and Article 191 (1)(A) of the Constitution.
Not only is Drabu holding the executive post in a profitable company, but he has not even mentioned the company (a source of income) in his nomination form/affidavit.
According to the document of the company, Drabu holds the shares of 5000, while his spouse holds 1000 and besides a journalist also holds 4000 shares.
Earlier this month Drabu, was sacked from state cabinet, after his remark that Kashmir is “not a political issue†triggered a huge controversy. Drabu was the key channel of communication between the PDP and the BJP and was instrumental in helping the alliance survive the rocky patches since it was formed in 2015.
Sources state that there are more reasons behind his ouster including the implementation of Centre’s controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Drabu was reportedly under scrutiny for having allegedly flexed the rules to exempt some private firms from the new tax regime. In this regard, a leading Mumbai-based firm was given a tax exemption for construction of a hydro-electric project in central Kashmir. Sources said Chief Minister Mehbooba was already unhappy over relaxations for firms outside the state, which have cost Jammu and Kashmir’s own exchequer.
