Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 29: A scene was created at Directorate Information in Srinagar today when Director Information, Soujanya Kumar Sharma, reached his office and found the former Director occupying the chair.
Soujanya Kumar Sharma who was recently appointed as Director Information took over his charge yesterday morning at Srinagar. However, today morning when Kumar reached his office, he found the former Director Information, Mukhtarul Aziz occupying the chair claiming to be Director Information.
Both Kumar and Aziz were sitting in the same office throughout the day. Aziz was appointed as Director Information on October 16 in administrative reshuffle by the Cabinet and he was transferred on October 21 under Government order number 1091-GAD of 2014 dated 21-10-2014 and Kumar was appointed in his place under the same order.
Kumar assumed charge as Director Information on October 28 and in the evening Aziz’s transfer order was stayed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Aziz had approached the High Court (SWP No. 1992/2014, IA (C) No. 3168/2014) seeking quashing of his transfer order issued by the GAD. It may be mentioned here that Aziz was transferred and appointed as Director Panchayati Raj.
Justice Virender Singh called into question the Government order under which Aziz was transferred. “Prima facie, a case for showing indulgence. Hence, notice in the main as well as miscellaneous application, returnable within two weeks time… Meanwhile, impugned (No. 38822-23 dated 28-10-14) Government order No. 1091-GAD of 2014 dated 21-10-204 in so far as it concerns the petitioner shall be put on hold.
“With virtually two Directors operating from the Information Directorate, the work at the office at a time when the elections have been announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has been affected”, said an Information Department official. He said the Government has thrown such an important department of the Government in morass.
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