Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 11: Contrary to the tall claims of the State Government about fighting corruption with tooth and nail, the corrupt officers have developed very strong network in Jammu and Kashmir and for their sympathizers the directions of State High Court, Chief Secretary and General Administration Department do not mean anything at all.
This can be gauged from the status of 147 departmental enquiries, which could not be taken to the logical conclusion despite Government receiving repeated rap on its knuckles from the High Court. The way these enquiries are being handled by different departments, it seems that corrupt elements and their sympathizers are ruling the roost in the civil administration.
Had there been will on the part of Government to punish the corrupt elements it would have ensured compliance of the State High Court directions dated April 4, 2014 passed in the Public Interest Litigation regarding 147 departmental enquiries within shortest possible time. Shockingly, General Administration Department is taking up this issue with all the concerned departments but without any satisfactory results.
According to an official document available with EXCELSIOR, following the High Court directions dated April 4, 2014 in the 147 departmental enquiries, the General Administration Department (GAD) vide OM dated April 9, 2014 took up the matter with all the concerned departments. Thereafter, reminders were also issued to the concerned departments for filing response vide OM dated April 15, April 17, April 23, May 6, May 9, June 2 and June 9, 2014.
However, halfhearted approach towards disclosing the positions presently being held by the officers facing these enquiries, stage of probes and nature of charges etc continued. Accordingly, the High Court in its order dated July 8, 2014, while expressing concern over the non-compliance of the orders in letter and spirit and observing that officers facing serious allegations of corruption don’t deserve a public dealing posting, issued directions for filing detailed report.
After receiving rap on its knuckles once again, General Administration Department convened a meeting on July 18 and the concerned departments were directed to provide desired information as per the High Court orders. The issue again came up for discussion in the Committee of Secretaries meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary on August 4, 2014 wherein all the defaulting departments were advised to take matter seriously and submit status report.
On the very next date, the matter was taken up with Animal/Sheep Husbandry Department, School Education Department, CAPD, PWD, Industries and Commerce Department and Revenue Department for filing fresh status report immediately as the information pertaining to these departments was still found deficient.
When the PIL came up for hearing before the Division Bench comprising Justice Virendra Singh and Justice Tashi Rabstan today, Senior Additional Advocate General, Gagan Basotra submitted that General Administration Department has submitted the compliance report, which however astonishingly mentioned that in most of the cases replies are incomplete and due procedures prescribed for conduct of enquiries have not been followed.
“General Administration Department is consistently monitoring the cases and impressing upon the departments to furnish the requisite information complete in all respects, which however is not forthcoming from some of the departments”, said Special Secretary to the Government, GAD in the status report. Accordingly, Senior AAG Gagan Basotra sought at least four weeks time to furnish complete reply.
However, this was objected to by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, who submitted “half-hearted approach towards the most burning issue of corruption is continuing from the Government as such stern action is warranted”.
Keeping in view the seriousness of the issue and the submissions of Advocate Ahmad, DB fixed the matter on Thursday for further hearing.
Advocate Ahmad further drew the attention of the DB towards the order dated July 8, 2014 whereby High Court had sought to know the steps taken by the Government for appointment of new Chairman and Member of the State Accountability Commission.
“The term of present Chairman and Member is expiring this month but Government has not shown any seriousness towards the appointment of new incumbents”, he said, adding “Law and Home Departments, which had to ensure start of exercise in this regard as well as about providing prosecution wing to the Accountability Commission, have not filed any status report”.
He prayed before the DB that Law and Home Secretaries should be called in person to explain their conduct. As Senior AAG Gagan Basotra had no answer to the previous directions regarding Accountability Commission, the DB directed Law Department to file the desired report.
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