Mohammad Tahir:
BARAMULLA: Height of favoritism goes unnoticed; from one side the Commissioner HUDD constitute inquiry against the Executive Officer (EO) for his illegal appointments while from other end the same EO is given an additional charge of MC Sopore.
Reliable sources in the department said that in the past there were already various complaints with regards to embezzlement of funds and illegal appointments against the Executive Officer, Gh Rasool Shah, but despite all no one dared to take any action against erring officer.
“As long as there is an illegal support nothing concrete results are expected, many times in past the higher authorities have favored various Executive Officers (EOs) with the result people have completely lost their faith and trust upon the system, while as government was committed to take stern action against the erring officials, but failed to do so, perhaps because of favoritism too,” said sources.
He said that, in 2016-17, there was also a complaint against the then Executive officer, Municipal Committee, Tangmarag, Gh Rasool Shah but nothing was done by the then higher officials who were at the helm of affairs.
According to reports a letter was sent in 2017 by Under Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department to the Director, Urban Local Bodies Kashmir.
Letter reads that, I am directed to invite your attention to this department’s letter of even number dated 27/01/2016 followed by chain of reminders latest on 25/10/2016 regarding the subject cited above and to say that despite lapse of more than eight months, the action taken report called for is still awaited, which may be expedite urgently within two days positively.
Besides a copy communication dated 03/07/2017 received from State Vigilance Origination, J&K Srinagar is also enclosed herewith for immediate necessary action in the matter, reads a letter.
However sources said that, recently, government issued an order vide no: 122-HUD of 2019 dated 07-05-2019 that reads, sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Mir Tariq Ali, KAS Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation as inquiry officer to conduct an enquiry regarding illegal appointments made in Municipal Committee Tangmarag in violation of norms from May 2006 to December 2013, that is period of posting of Shah as secretary, Municipal Committee Tangmarag.
The enquiry officer shall submit its report with specific recommendations to this department within one month positively.
Irony is that just few days back, the government issued another order vide no: DULB/Estt/679 of 2019 Dated 27/05/2019.
The order reads that, in the interest of administration and smooth functioning of MC Sopore, Gh Rasool Shah I/C Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Pattan shall look after the affairs of Municipal Council Sopore in addition to his own duties.
Sources said that, complaints, enquiries and additional charges cannot go side by side, when there is an enquiry then there is no additional charge, but the corruption and favoritism has ruined this department.
Governor Administration especially Satya Pal Malik is requested to take strong note of the complaints at ULBK, and assign the enquiry to some honest officials for smooth conduct.
Sources told Street Times that there are chances of reshuffle in the ULBK department as it have broken all the records of unaccountability and nepotism; the concerned officials are working at will and they are hardly bothered about the consequences.