Usman Majid Demands Probe into Alleged Scam at Bandipora’s Drug De-Addiction Centre, OSC and Senior Citizens’ Home
Bandipora, April 18: Former Minister and ex-MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid, has demanded a high-level probe into alleged large-scale irregularities and corruption at key social welfare institutions in Bandipora, including the Drug De-Addiction Centre (DDAC), One-Stop Centre (OSC), and Senior Citizens’ Home (SrCH).
In a statement issued to Kashmir Convener on Thursday, Majid raised serious concerns over reports suggesting that these centres, meant to serve vulnerable sections of society, are being mismanaged and allegedly controlled by an informal nexus of government officials and local contractors. He alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Students Welfare Mission (JKSWM), the designated implementing agency for these centres, is at the heart of a “web of corruption and exploitation.”
Quoting internal sources and public feedback, Majid claimed that the DDAC, OSC, and SrCH are not functioning under officially appointed staff but are instead being run by individuals with close ties to senior officials. “Many of those employed have been recruited on the basis of favoritism, lacking the necessary qualifications and accountability,” he alleged, adding that some have continued in their roles for over three years without any formal review.
He further accused the implementing agency of misappropriating funds allocated by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. “Instead of being used for rehabilitation, support, and senior care, the funds appear to have been diverted for personal gains,” Majid said.
Citing credible accounts, he also claimed that the staff often remain absent from their duties, only appearing during ministry visits to project a false image of active operations. “This manipulation is a betrayal of public trust and a gross misuse of central welfare schemes,” he said.
Calling for swift action, Majid urged the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and other relevant authorities to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter. “This is not just administrative failure, it is exploitation of the most vulnerable. The guilty must be identified and punished to uphold transparency, accountability, and public faith,” he said.
He concluded by stating that it is imperative to restore credibility to institutions that are meant to serve those battling addiction, gender violence, and old age challenges. “These are not just centres; they are lifelines for many. Any negligence or corruption here amounts to playing with human lives,” he said.
