While the Kashmir valley burned and pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for its ‘azadi’ from India and ‘unification’ with Pakistan, it now comes to light that the Mehbooba Mufti government in the state tweaked rules to give Geelani’s grandson a job in government.

Anees-ul-Islam was appointed as a researcher in a subsidiary wing of Jammu And Kashmir’s tourism department, which is managed by Mehbooba. The job, the Times of India reports, will fetch him an annual salary of Rs 12 lakh and a life-long pension after retirement.

According to the report, Anees holds a degree in business from Jalandhar, Punjab, and was denied a passport in 2009 following negative reports from the state’s CID unit. He was later granted a passport on J&K High Court’s call, after which he left for the United Kingdom to study business and administration.

According to the rules, the government should have taken the J&K State Subordinate Services Recruitment Board or Public Service Commission route for appointment to the post offered to Anees.

Responding to allegations of wrongdoing, tourism secretary Farooq Shah has said that the department “invited applications from candidates; he was found fit for the post.” However, an employee of the department has said Anees was appointed to the post at the Sher-e-Kashmir international convention complex much before applications were sought. At least one candidate that the daily contacted also pointed towards inconsistencies in the appointment and possible misuse of office.

Granting favours to separatists is becoming routine in the valley. Family members of pro-Pakistan separatists have been offered attractive jobs and concessions despite the fact that they toe Pakistan’s line on the Kashmir issue and instigate people against India.