Srinagar, Feb 18 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has said the appointments of politicians as advisors and vice-chairpersons to various boards were legal and within the constitutional limit. "The advisors and Vice-Chairmen of various boards were appointed by the state government within the parameters of constitution and law of the State and are as such absolutely legal being in accordance with the constitution of the state," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said in a statement issued by the government late last night. Sagar said the J-K government was examining the notice issued by the State Accountability Commission (SAC) on these appointments. "We are examining the SAC notice and will reply to it in accordance with the rules. The appointments are legal and in accordance with the constitution of the state," Sagar said. The SAC had on Friday asked the government to explain as to how it had accorded ministerial status to political advisors of the chief minister and vice-chairpersons of various boards. The minister said there were no corruption charges against any of the advisors or vice-chairpersons for them to resign. "The appointments are constitutional and legal, so there arises no question of their stepping down," he added. The minister said that it was not for the first time that the advisors and Vice chairmen of various boards have been appointed as this practice has been in vogue during various regimes and administrative setups in the State in the past. (More)
