Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 8: High Court today imposed penalty on Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) for making illegal appointment and directed that his salary be not released unless he deposits the penalty amount before the court.
Justice Tashi Rabstan imposed penalty of Rs 50, 000 on the then Zonal Education Officer Lakhanpur for appointing one Sunita Devi illegally on the post of Rehber-e-Taleem Teacher while ignoring the genuine claim of the petitioner Ranjana Sharma.
“In the given circumstances, the then Zonal Education Officer, Lakhanpur, who issued the appointment order of respondent No.5, is burdened with costs of Rs.50,000 to be deposited by him in the Registry of this court within a period of eight weeks from today”, High Court directed.
On deposit the amount shall be released in favour of Sharma after proper verification and identification. Court also directed the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer not to release the salary of the then Zonal Education Officer, Lakhanpur, wherever and on which post he is posted, till he produces the receipt of depositing the amount in the Registry.
“If the then Zonal Education Officer, Lakhanpur, has already been retired, it is directed not to release his pension till he deposits the amount”, HC said.