SRINAGAR, June 15:Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Abdul Haq today informed the House that 47 Program Officers, 351 Technical Assistants, 88 MIS Operators, 85 CIC Operators, 76 Data Entry Operators and 1363 GRS have been engaged on contractual basis in Jammu province.

Replying to a question by Dr. Gagan Bhagat, the Minister said the contractual engagement of these persons has been made as per the criteria and eligibility laid in guidelines issued by Union Minister of Rural Development, as their remuneration is reflected on the administrative component allowed under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

The Minister said that the term of employees is contractual, which is extendable, subject to the satisfactory work and conduct of the employee.

The Minister informed the House that one case (FIR No. 25/2015 p/s VOJ) is under investigation in the Vigilance Organisation Jammu in which three officials namely Haroon Rashid, the then BDO Bhalessa, Mohammad Aslam, the then Technical Assistant in Bhalessa block and Ch. Iqhalaq Ahmad the then Gram Rozgar Shayak of Bhalessa, have been named as accused.

The Minister informed that during last two fiscals, 7211 Below Poverty Line families have been brought under the cover of IAY program in Jammu division.

Responding to the supplementaries of Mr. Khalil Bandh and Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, the Minister assured that the selection list of Data Operators for Pulwama district would be issued on merit basis.