Srinagar: The J&K government on Thursday sacked eight employees for their alleged complicity in corruption and misconduct, an official said.
He said government is implementing its ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption policy and it is in this regard that eight “tainted employees” were sacked under article 226 (2) of the Jammu Kashmir Civil Service Regulations.
The rules say government in the public interest may retire an employee after completion of 22 years of qualifying service or attaining 48 years of age. All the eight employees have been sacked on charges of corruption and misconduct, officials said.
According to sources, Ravinder Kumar Bhat, Mission Director, RUSA had indulged in corruption during his posting in different departments. The then Vigilance department, now, Anti Corruption Bureau, had registered a corruption case against him in 2015.
“As the then Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Budgam, Bhat was involved in irregular transfer of state land under Roshni Scheme and had arbitrarily fixed the price of land lower than the prevailing market rate and made incorrect application of rates, besides unauthorized change of classification of land from residential to agriculture, etc. The officer while acting in league with the beneficiaries inflicted huge monetary loss to the government. Sanction for prosecution was accorded against the officer in October 2019,” sources said.
It is learnt that the officer was also involved in another corruption case when he was posted as a Director of Rural Development Department. He has allegedly made huge procurement without following tender process. A joint surprise check by ACB had revealed his malpractices, they said.
“The officer is also involved in cases related to embezzlement/misappropriation which inter-alia casts doubt on the functioning of the officer and his abilities with regard to dealing of financial responsibilities,” sources further added.
Another Officer dismissed on charges of corruption and misconduct is Mohammad Qasim Wani, JKAS, Regional Director, Survey and Land Records, Srinagar. Sources said Wani as District Programme Officer, ICDS, Kupwara had procured substandard material on highly exhorbitant rates for ICDS project. An FIR under prevention of corruption act was filed against Wani. Sanction for prosecution was accorded by the government in 2020 and a charge-sheet has been filed against him by ACB before the trial court.
“Wani had purchased huge properties in the name of his wife. He has made fortune misusing official position, clearly indicating his doubtful integrity,” sources informed.
Noor Alam, Deputy Secretary, ARI & Trainings, has also been dismissed. During his posting in different departments, Alam allegedly amassed huge wealth, misusing his official position.
ACB had registered a case against Alam in 2019 to investigate his illegal assets and subsequently attached four of his properties — a house and three plots of land measuring 10 marlas, 3 kanals and another measuring 10 marlas in Jammu.
“Apart from these assets, he had raised various other properties in the name of his wife and other family members and also owns several vehicles including commercial vehicles,” sources said.
Mohammad Mujib Ur Rehman Ghassi, JKAS, who was currently under suspension, has also been dismissed. Ghassi during his tenure in Cooperative department had facilitated a loan amount of Rs 223 crore in favor of a non-existent cooperative society.
Sources said the government has also expedited the identification of other officials facing corruption charges.
The others sacked include Fayaz Ahmad Banday, the then BMO Beerwah, presently under suspension; Gulam Mohiudin, Junior Assistant, presently posted as I/C Supervisor Chatta Store Jammu, FSC&CA Department; Rakesh Kumar Pargal, Jr Assistant, presently under suspension, FSC&CA Department and; Prashotam Kumar, Store-keeper, then posted at Pancheri Udhampur (presently working as Supervisor RC Floor Mills, Udhampur) FSC&CA Department.
