Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 10: The Governor’s Administration has cancelled all the 224 backdoor appointments of Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRS), computer operators and technical assistants made in sheer violation of rules in the Rural Development Department in district Rajouri.
Highly placed officials sources told the Excelsior that Governor NN Vohra took serious note of the matter after the issue was projected by the `Daily Excelsior’ on August 3, 2018. He directed the Commissioner/ Secretary, RDD, Sheetal Nanda to take cognizance of the matter and quash all such backdoor appointments made illegally on the political and other considerations in district Rajouri during past three years as well as in other districts.
The Commissioner/ Secretary, RDD asked the Director Rural Development Department Jammu, Rehana Batul to hold inquiry and submit report within three days.
Sources said the Government took action after receiving preliminary report , stating that all these appointments were made under MGNREGA by the officers including ACDs/ BDOs etc in violation of rules. No public notices were issued and all these appointments were made on the recommendations of the politicians/ legislators/Ministers and also for monetary considerations.
The Government vide its order No. 203-RD&PR of 2018, dated 09-08-2018, directed that all the engagements made under the Scheme in contravention to rules / norms/ guidelines in vogue and without following due procedure shall be discontinued with immediate effect.
The Government also directed all the Deputy Commissioners to submit report regarding action taken in the matter within 15 days, if such engagements were made in their districts as well.
Not only this, the Government has also ordered inquiry into some illegal promotions of Incharge BDOs made by the former Director RDD Jammu, RK Bhat who has also been booked in a Vigilance case recently. The Government has directed to rescind all such placement orders of Incharge BDOs made by this officer, asking to look after the charge of BDO in gross violation of existing rules. Most of such orders were issued on the last day of his office in Jammu by the officer.
While the swift action of the Governor’s Administration has been widely appreciated by the civil society, but it has been observed that the guilty officers who made these appointments for monetary or other considerations, have been given a clean chit for this illegal act. No action has been recommended against them.
It is pertinent to mention here that throwing all the norms to winds, on the political considerations, about 224 persons were appointed in the Rural Development Department (RDD) in district Rajouri under PDP-BJP regime during last three years. The sources revealed that it was just a tip of an iceberg , as `224 favourites’ of PDP-BJP have come to lime light just in RDD in district Rajouri, the number may be more in the Department, if lists are compiled from all other districts, especially from Kashmir province.
Sources revealed that without bothering for the standing norms, the officers at the helm of affairs without issuing public notifications, mostly appointed these people depriving the other educated youth of the district an opportunity to get the Government job. Majority of these `blue eyed’ people appointed have been placed under MGNREGA Scheme for which Govt of India is providing huge funds.
Out of the total 224 people appointed in district Rajouri in RDD during this period, 125 were Grameen Rozgar Sevaks ( GRS), 72 Computer Operators/ Data Entry Operators and 27 Technical Assistants.
Director, RDD Jammu, Rehana Batul when contacted said that after the matter came to her notice, she ordered inquiry into the matter. The probe was conducted not only in Rajouri but some other areas as well and the inputs were forwarded to the Administrative department. She said the action was imminent and it happened today. At least in future, other youth will also get equal opportunity to apply for the posts when advertised.
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