Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Transport Minister Satish Sharma has written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking the removal of Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, alleging that the senior officer has repeatedly disregarded the ministry’s directives and bypassed its authority.
In a letter dated August 6, a copy of which was accessed by the Kashmir News Service (KNS), Sharma alleged that Mahajan, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer, had been flouting written and verbal directions and adopting what he described as a discourteous approach in communications with the minister.
The minister said he had initially attempted to resolve the matter through informal and internal channels but claimed there had been no improvement.
Sharma alleged that the officer’s conduct had affected the functioning of the Transport Department and argued that the Transport Commissioner, as the department’s principal executive officer, functions under the policy direction and overall supervision of the minister-in-charge.
The minister further alleged that persistent non-compliance by a senior officer undermined administrative accountability and the authority of the elected government.
Sharma has requested the Chief Minister to “immediately move” Mahajan from the post and appoint another officer of appropriate seniority, according to the letter.
The allegations could not be independently verified.