Srinagar: The power struggle intensifies in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir as the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, finally seems to be coming out of the “reconciliatory mode” and ready to contest the decisions made by the LG Manoj Sinha without taking him (CM) on board.
A showdown is looming between Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and the nearly six-month-old government over the transfer of bureaucrats and other issues, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to convene on Friday an urgent meeting of MLAs belonging to the ruling National Conference and supporting parties.
The agenda for the meeting, to which legislators of the alliance partner Congress have also been invited, remained a subject of speculation as Abdullah and NC spokespersons remained tight-lipped.
But the meeting is expected to discuss reported interference by Raj Bhavan in administrative matters which fall in the domain of the elected government.
The controversial transfer of 48 bureaucrats belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) by the LG two days ago led to the latest flashpoint between the Raj Bhavan and the Abdullah government, which regards the transfers as violative of the legal and administrative framework under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
Sources said the chief minister has written to Sinha asking him to review the unilateral decision, pointing out that the transfers and postings of officers outside the All India Services cadre was the exclusive prerogative of the elected government asserting, such orders undermine the functioning and authority of the elected government.
Abdullah is said to have taken up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah complaining that a series of actions by the LG, including the transfers, eroded the authority of his government.
The LG’s approach was a serious challenge in functioning of the elected government, he is said to have stated.
Though the Abdullah government had been facing difficulties with the Raj Bhavan over several administrative issues, Sinha’s Tuesday order to transfer and post 48 JKAS officers led to a face-off between the two power centres in the Union territory.
The chief minister also called for the expedited finalisation of the Transaction of Business Rules, which were approved by the Cabinet on March 6, saying that the delay in issuing these rules is contributing to the current administrative friction.
Abdullah has also directed Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to ensure that no transfer or posting orders for non-All India Services officers are issued without his prior approval.
He has specifically asked the Chief Secretary to keep the transfer orders of the 48 JKAS officers in abeyance.
In the meantime, Friday’s meeting is expected to convey the same feelings to the LG as well as the Centre.
The announcement of the meeting was made by NC Chief Whip Mubarak Gul on Thursday, who stressed on its significance, requesting all members to prioritise attendance.
“Until we receive statehood, it is essential to establish business rules for clarity,” Chief Minister Abdullah had said during a response to the LG’s Assembly address, noting that the Cabinet had finalised the governance rules in a meeting on March 6 and submitted them for the LG’s approval.
Abdullah has previously expressed his discontent with the dual governance model in the Union Territory, labelling it as a “recipe for disaster”.
Congress criticises LG’s decision to transfer 48 JKAS officers
Jammu: The Congress on Thursday criticised Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s decision to order the transfer of middle and lower-rung officers in the Union Territory, saying the latter should have waited for the approval of business rules before announcing his decision.
In a move seen by many as an attempt to take full control of the bureaucracy, the LG ordered the transfer of 48 middle and lower-rung Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, including 14 additional deputy commissioners and 26 sub-divisional magistrates.
The order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Tuesday came at a time when the National Conference-led government was waiting for a nod from the Union home ministry for the business rules it framed about a month ago and sent to the LG for approval to facilitate smooth governance without confusion.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has convened a joint meeting of the coalition legislators in Srinagar on Friday where the issue is likely to be discussed.
“The chief minister has called for a joint legislative party meeting of coalition partners in Srinagar at 11 am tomorrow. The issue of transfers is likely to be discussed although the agenda for the meeting has not been conveyed so far.
“It would have been advisable for the LG to wait a while as the business rules are pending approval. The LG should have been more patient,” Gulam Ahmed Mir, national general secretary of the Congress, said.
Mir, who also serves as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in the J&K Assembly, said the government has already proposed the business rules and forwarded them to New Delhi for approval.
“Taking such a step was not advisable,” the Congress leader said.
According to the current business rules, Mir said, “transfer of local JKAS officers falls under the chief minister’s domain”.
“The previous rules stipulated that local JKAS officers will be handled by the chief minister, while senior officers (IAS) will be transferred by the LG,” Mir said.
Mir also said the LG’s action, knowing that the business rules proposal is pending approval in Delhi, sent a wrong message about the state of affairs within the J&K administration.
“It has sent the wrong message that everything is not well (within the administration). The LG knew it well that the proposal for business rules is under consideration, yet he took this step,” Mir said.
