Delay in finalization of 147 departmental enquiries
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 2: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting inordinate delay in finalization of 147 departmental enquiries, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice B S Walia today directed the General Administration Department to file status report within one week reflecting the steps taken by various departments pursuant to the instructions and decisions taken by the GAD.
When this PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the PIL, drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the detailed order dated April, 4, 2014 wherein directions were issued to the GAD to make complete disclosure with regard to the stage of enquiries, nature of charges, status of officers and their present postings.
“This order was repeated on several occasions by the DB but the attitude of the GAD has remained casual and till date the full disclosure has not been made and various administrative departments have miserably failed to adhere to the time schedule fixed for completion of 147 departmental enquiries”, he further submitted.
He also drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the status report filed by the GAD on July 1, 2015 wherein it was submitted that to review the status of 147 Departmental Enquiries a meeting was held on June 22, 2015 under the chairmanship of Commissioner/Secretary to Government GAD and concern was expressed for inaction by the concerned Administrative Departments in concluding the pending departmental enquiries and it was directed that all the pending departmental enquiries be concluded within a period of one month with the approval of competent authority.
“It was further resolved in the meeting that the names of the alleged accused, present place of posting, date of initiation of inquiry, stage of inquiry and reasons for delay be intimated to GAD within a week’s time positively. Further, it was decided that in case of considerable delay in completing the enquiry, a show cause notice be issued to the enquiry officers for dereliction of duties”, Advocate Ahmed said quoting the earlier status report of the GAD.
“It is unfortunate that despite repeated orders of the Division Bench and the directions issued by the GAD on June 22, 2015 fixing a time schedule of one month, there is no headway towards the finalization of the departmental enquiries”, he further said, adding “GAD on the other hand has posted tainted officers on the prime positions and for this reason the departmental enquiries are not being finalized”.
Advocate Ahtsham Bhat appearing for GAD submitted, “various Administrative Departments are not cooperating with the GAD and this is the reason for delay in finalization of the departmental enquiries”, adding “few departments have reverted back to the GAD with the current status of the departmental enquiries”.
Accordingly, he sought some time for placing on record status report received from the GAD.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, Division Bench directed General Administration Department to file status report within a week’s time reflecting the steps taken by the various departments pursuant to the instructions and decisions taken by the GAD with regard to the finalization of 147 departmental enquiries. The Division Bench directed the Registry to list this matter in the week commencing November 16, 2015.
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