Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 10: High Court today stayed the order of recovery of crores of rupees from the employees of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department for embezzlement of food grains.
Justice M K Hanjura stayed the order after the counsel appearing for petitioners (delinquent employees) Advocate S R Hussain submitted that the order of recovery has been passed without proper application of mind as the authorities have shown incorrect outstanding food grains.
“In the meantime, subject to objections from the other side and till next date before the bench the operation of impugned order No. 472-DFCS&CAK of 2017 dated 21.10.2017 shall stay”, Justice Hanjura directed.
Court also issued notice to Commissioner Secretary Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Secretary Ladakh Affairs, Director FCS&CA, Chief Executive Officer LAHDC, Assistant Director Food Leh, Chief Accounts Officer FCS&CA Kashmir for filing of objection to the contention raised by the delinquent employees (petitioners) in their petition with four weeks time.
Advocate Hussain demonstrated before the court as to how the order is without application of mind. He submitted that as per the order of recovery the petitioners are said to have received 1, 87, 936 quintals of food grains and out of which they dispatched 1, 86, 586 quintals to different sale centers.
He informed the court even if the figures detailed in the order are assumed to be correct, yet the deficit is only 1350 quintals outstanding against the petitioners but the authorities in the order have shown 10, 603 quintals as outstanding.
The order passed by Director reveals Rs 1.15 crores, Rs 15.45 lakhs and Rs 7.72 lakh as amount to be recovered from storekeepers Mohammad Afzal Khan and Mohammad Jan, Tehsil Supply Officer Hussain, Assistant Directors Sherub Galtson and Ruth Marry respectively.
Director has also directed the concerned drawing and disbursing officer to start recovery of the outstanding amount against embezzled food grains from them and disciplinary action against these defaulting officials as warranted under law.