Srinagar, Nov 27: Ishfaq Gowher
In a significant move aimed at tightening transparency in public recruitment, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has blacklisted M/s LMES IT LLP and Mr. Maharaj Krishan Wali, a private vendor, after uncovering a series of irregularities in the controversial Firemen/Firemen Driver recruitment process of 2020. The decision has been formalised through Government Order No. 1540-JK(GAD) of 2025, issued on 26 November 2025 by the General Administration Department (Vigilance).
The action comes after a chain of investigations that began in December 2022, when the Government constituted a committee to probe allegations of corruption in the Fire & Emergency Services Department’s recruitment process. Following months of scrutiny, the committee presented its findings on 10 February 2024 and recommended that the matter be handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a detailed probe.
Acting on these recommendations, ACB Jammu and Kashmir conducted an in-depth verification into the role of M/s LMES IT LLP and its key associate Mr. M.K. Wali. Based on its findings, the ACB registered FIR No. 01/2025 at ACB Central, Jammu, flagging multiple violations and manipulations in the tendering process.
According to the ACB’s verification report, LMES IT LLP was wrongly allotted the recruitment assignment despite being the L-2 bidder, while the L-1 bidder was sidelined without justification. The firm lacked the mandatory experience required under the tender conditions and was found to be not a reputed vendor, having been incorporated only in 2017 after splitting from another company.
The probe also revealed that LMES used balance sheets and IT returns of another company, which were blended with its own financial documents to meet eligibility criteria — a serious breach of tender norms. Furthermore, LMES quoted a substantially higher rate (Rs. 179 per candidate) compared to a competitor who offered Rs. 107.50 per candidate, yet the company was still favored.
Another major finding involved the non-consideration of the L-1 bidder, whose candidature was neither accepted nor rejected by the selection board. Investigators also established that Mr. M.K. Wali had longstanding influence within previous recruitment processes and leveraged this position to secure the contract for LMES.
After reviewing all reports submitted by the ACB, the Government approved the recommendation to blacklist both the firm and the individual. They are now barred from participating in any recruitment-related bids conducted in the Union Territory, under Rule 151 of GFR 2017.
This decisive action, issued under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor, underscores the administration’s commitment to eliminating corruption and ensuring fair recruitment practices in Jammu and Kashmir.
