J&K MLA demands probe in security expenses not availed by him

Srinagar: An independent MLA from Jammu and Kashmir has demanded a probe into security expenditure shown against his name by the police department and claimed that he has not availed security services during the past three years. "I am surprised that the Home Department has shown an expense of Rs 2.83 lakh against my name for providing fuel on security reasons over the past three years. It is a known fact that I have not availed any security from the government during this period," Rashid, who represents Langate constituency in Kupwara district, told a news agency on Sunday. A senior officer of the Security wing of state police said, while it was a fact that Rashid was not availing any security personnel, he had been provided escorts from time to time. "Escort was provided (to Rashid) on various occasions, despite his declining the same," the security officer said. Rashid, however, alleged that "some white collar officers" in the police department have misled everybody. "It is obvious that the amount would have gone in the pockets of those people who run the state like a public enterprise and leave no opportunity to loot the state exchequer. It is the legal and moral duty of top brasses in Home and Police department to investigate the matter and come clean on the issue," the MLA said. Rashid claimed that top authorities in Home and Police departments had on many occasions asked him to avail security as well as a bullet proof car, "which I refused every time as a mark of protest against the behaviour of police towards masses". Rashid said he will move the court if the state government does not come clean over the issue. PTI