Incharge ACD Pulwama transfers staff in violation of rules

SRINAGAR — In violation of rules, incharge ACD Pulwama has issued transfers and posting orders of VLWs, MPWs/MGNREGA staff, bypassing the Director, Rural Development Department Kashmir.

In a blatant violation of norms, Hilal Jerry (KAS), Assistant Commissioner Development Shopian holding additional charge of the post of ACD Pulwama had issued transfer and posting orders of VLWs/MPWs/ MGNREGA and contractual staff (Technical Assistants, MIS Operators, GRS) working in District Pulwama vide order No. 27-ACDP of 2021; dated 24.07.2021 endorsed vide NO. ACD/Pul/Estt/2552-66; dated 24.07.2021.

It is pertinent to mention here that the said officer is not competent to effect the transfers of VLWs/MPWs as per the Section 2 of the Jammu & Kashmir Delegation of Powers Act, 2018 (Governor’s Act No. 1 of 2018) laid down by the government.

In General Administration Department order notified vide SRO-479; dated 19.10.2018 and in view of the recent/fresh directions circulated by his HOD vide circular No. DRDK/Estt/22/Gnl/2015/36088-287; dated 08.07.2021 and further Government Order No. 948-JK(GAD) of 2020; dated 15.10.2020 issued by the GAD among other things clearly speaks that “Transfers shall ordinarily be ordered in the first month of the financial year i.e., in April every year excluding the transfer of the teaching staff and transfers to Ladakh region.

The order further says, “The notification of the calendar has been made with the intent of ensuring that the transfers are limited to a particular period of the financial year, so that minimum dislocations occur during the financial year which would ensure better outcomes in the implementation of various Govt schemes and policies. The order further clarifies that any transfer which is required to be effected on administrative grounds beyond the notified calendar, shall be effected only with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor.”

The supra directives/circulars/SROs of the Government seems to be eroded by the officer incharge and has thus clearly mutilated the sanctity of the chair.

The stay of maximum VLWs/MPWs in district Pulwama is immature and their transfer despite eroding the above mentioned norms set by the Government is also against the Policy of transfer/posting of Government employees.

In GAD order No. 861-GAD of 2010; dated 28.07.2010 and apart from period of stay which is two to three years at a particular place, also the Part 1 of General Principles has been ignored in total wherein it has been made imperative for all the Government Departments to maintain a complete database for effective implementation of the transfer policy as the axe has fallen on the officials who have immature stay and the ones close to the ACD office and working at a particular place for years together have not made it to the Database records and are stagnant at place for the reasons best known to the ACD.

The order seems to be issued in a jiffy as it sans the initial of the subordinate officer/official working in the establishment section of the ACD office. Taking into consideration the gravity of the issue, VLWs/MPWs and NREGA staff has shown a strong resentment over the said transfer order on the plea of being erratic and irrational.

Further, the services of Technical Assistants, MIS Operators and GRS working in the Rural Development Department are of contractual nature and their adjustment is being made strictly as per the guidelines of MGNREGA Act.

It is out of comprehension as to why the transfers of the supra contractuals has been made out of the Block/Panchayats when it is against the standing guidelines of MGNREGA Act. It is once again raising a finger of objection on the ability and in-depth of service rules/norms known to the concerned ACD.

The whole contractual staff is working on a meagre monthly honorarium and their dislocation to the far off places will pave way for corruption. Their posting to the nearest Panchayat Halqas would have been in the overall good of the Department.

It is not out of place to mention here that blue-eyed contractual staff close to the ACD office have not been touched despite being stagnant at their places for years together.

Director RDD Kashmir, Tariq Zargar said that he will look into the matter and necessary action under rules will be taken into the matter.