Jobless professionals cry favoritism in aviation dept

Valley professionals in aviation industry Monday alleged discrimination at the hands of higher authorities in the state’s civil aviation department.
Many engineers having degrees in the field of aviation alleged blue-eyed candidates have been proffered over them in the posts advertised regularly by civil aviation department.
“We are being discriminated for being Kashmiris. I am one of the few aircraft maintenance engineers in Valley but still unemployed,” said Sheraz Hussain Bhat of Banihal.
Bhat said after completing engineering from IIAE, Pune and one year training from Rajiv Gandhi Aviation academy, he applied in the civil aviation department for aircraft technician “but his application was turned down”.
“Commissioner civil aviation Jammu and Kashmir (Surinder Katoch) told me that there was no vacancy and convinced me to work as unpaid AME apprentice for few months,” Bhat said.
Bhat alleged that after working nine months without any remuneration, he applied for technician job.
“But I was overlooked and a relative of non-state subject Commissioner civil aviation namely Deepaq Sambwal was recruited.”
“When I raised the matter with Commissioner he again convinced me that he would appoint me in Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. and later recruit me into the department. It has been three years now and I am still without job,” Bhat alleged.
The jobless youth alleged that Commissioner is appointing non-domiciles in the department which is totally injustice for the qualified youths of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Despite having qualified Kashmiri youth in aviation sector, the department is recruiting outsiders for their vested interests. No J&K pilot is given preferences as they are all deputed from Indian air force,” said another youth wishing not to be named who claims to have enough experience to qualify for posts.
They alleged that commissioner civil aviation has made many appointments in past without following the guidelines of civil service of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In one of the appointments the commissioner has promoted a helper to aircraft technician post without having any engineering course. The person is not even 10th class pass out. Aircraft engineering is mandatory for aircraft technician post as per Director General of Civil Aviation of government of India,” they alleged.
The youth alleged that commissioner has also adjusted his daughter as a co-pilot in some company in return to purchase helicopters for state from Deccan charters from Indamer Aviation Private Limited.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have also slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government for purchasing a helicopter for VIP movement in a non-transparent manner.
In its report for the year ended March 31, 2014, the CAG has pointed out that procurement of ‘Augusta-109E Power’ was not carried out in a transparent manner by JK’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD). The State government procured the helicopter in 2007 for Rs 20 crore.
“Commissioner is taking personal benefit of state department, making fool to all secretaries as they all are KAS/IAS officers and are not aware about technical field of aviation,” Bhat alleged.
Bhat said there are currently two engineers, one helper and a pilot from the state who are either unemployed or are working without salary in the department.
“Apart from me the other engineer is still working in the department as an unpaid apprentice. Helper being a BSC is not getting promotion and a pilot is out of job,” Bhat alleged.
Commissioner Civil Aviation, Jammu and Kashmir, S Katoch refused to talk on the matter.
“Write whatever you want, I don’t want to comment,” Katoch said.