Underperforming, tainted officials in J-K to be dismissed from services

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir administration has been framing a list of underperforming and tainted officials who are likely to be dismissed from their services.

Sources said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed authorities to ensure every employee performs properly.

“The government is also framing a list of underperforming and tainted officials who are likely to be dismissed from their services. The departments and anti-graft bodies have been directed to submit a list of underperforming officials and those who have been allegedly involved in corruption cases,” a senior official of the Chief Secretary’s office was quoted as having told news agency KINS.

Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered the premature retirement of eight employees of the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) on the charges of corruption under Article 226(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil services Regulations, Departmental Committees of J-K.

Earlier also, many officials faced probes by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and were also suspended. Article 226(2) of the J-K Civil Services Regulations, 1956 allows government employees to be retired in “public interest” upon completing the 22 years of qualifying service or attaining 48 years of age.

Similarly, the government has directed the departments to submit the monthly progress report to LG’s office every month.

The official said that the government has decided to take action against officials responsible for delaying projects. “Government is not able to evaluate the performance of their departments on the basis of timeline completion of targets, outcomes of the schemes, priorities fixed, quality of work done, and status of benefits of projects due to non-submission of progress reports,” the official said.

The official said that the government was concerned over lapsing of funds as officials were not making timely utilization of funds. The non-seriousness of the officials resulted in lapsing of funds.

“If funds are released, then the concerned officials will be responsible for any lapse,” the official quoted the government as having directed to departments.

The departments have also been told that developmental works should be started with proper approval from the Planning and Finance Department to know the source of funds.

Lieutenant Governor has asked the ACB and General Administration Department to use the latest technology and work in collaboration to set new benchmarks in combating corruption.

After the J&K Reorganization Act functions, the Anti-Corruption Bureau works on the lines of the Central Vigilance Commission. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also repealed the Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act, 2011.

Among them are several bureaucrats who have been given plum postings by the government despite their alleged involvement in wrongdoings.