Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has “temporarily” suspended 17 government employees, including seven teachers and three policemen, in Kishtwar district and two more in Doda district for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the second phase of the District Development Council (DDC) elections, officials said Monday.
District Panchayat Election Officer, Kishtwar, Ashok Kumar Sharma ordered the attachment of the employees of Dachhan block on Sunday following complaints against them, the officials said.
The second phase of the DDC elections, along with Panchayat bypolls, is scheduled to start across Jammu and Kashmir at 7 am on Tuesday, covering 43 constituencies to seal the fate of 321 candidates – 125 in 18 seats of Jammu division and 196 in 25 constituencies of Kashmir division.
The attached employees include seven teachers, a forester, a policeman and two Special Police Officers, the officials said, adding they have been directed to report to the sectoral or district offices concerned with immediate effect till the conclusion of the second phase of the DDC elections and Panchayat bypolls of Dachhan block.
They said Sub Divisional Magistrate, Marwah, Mohsin Raza was appointed the inquiry officer to conduct a detailed probe into the allegations levelled against the public servants and was directed to furnish a detailed report within 15 days.
Meanwhile, the District Election Authority Doda has also suspended two government employees and initiated action against four Village Defence Committee (VDC) members for violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Additional District Development Commissioner, the Nodal officer for MCC implementation, suspended two RDD employees, served show cause notice to Lumbardar, one BDC chairman and one contesting candidate, and initiated action against four VDC members for violation of MCC guidelines, an official press release informed.
As per the separate orders, the ADDC has attached the suspended employees with immediate effect and directions have been passed to their concerned DDOs to stop their salary.
Besides, the inquiry officers have been designated and directed to conduct detailed inquiry and submit the report within seven days.
Similarly, one BDC chairman and contesting candidate has been asked to explain their position for campaigning during the prohibited period of 48 hours before polls.
Likewise, action has been initiated against four VDC members who are found involved in election campaign for a particular political party.
