Last Updated on March 22, 2021 at 12:11 pm
J&K administration has lodged Regular Departmental Action (RDA) against a Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) Department official in regards to misappropriation of funds case of 2009.
Sources informed that Vigilance Organisation Kashmir booked Irshad Ahmad Lone in 2009. He is a Junior Assistant posted in Block Development Office of Pattan. The accused was detained under FIR No. 33/2009 and placed under suspension back in 2009.
Sources said that Irshad was booked for misappropriation of funds under 13th FCA (Panchayat Ghar) and for illegal withdrawing funds when he was Junior Assistant in Block Pattan. The General Administration Department (GAD) approved sanctions for prosecuting accused for offences under Section 5 (1) (c) (d) r/w 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006 and Sections 120-B on 22 February 2021. The GAD has also requested the Secretary to the Government, PR&RD J&K to punish the accused under Departmental Action (RDA).
Earlier circulation also mentioned that the said accused be suspended. The Secretary of RD&PR Department ordered on 15 March this year to Director of Rural Development Kashmir to suspend the accused immediately. He directed to submit a copy of same to the Administrative Department for its onward submission to GAD once the suspension process is initiated.
However, the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) of Baramulla told the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir on 13 March 2021 that accused has already been suspended. Sources further informed that the committee which ACD Baramulla set up summed up its findings. The officer was sent consequent charges by the Directorate vide No, DRDK/E Complt/7501-03 on 08 June 2017.
Sources said that however, ACD Baramulla didn’t receive accused’s reply to the Article of Charges. As a result, accused official was said to remain suspended according to government order no. 13-JK-GAD (Vig) of 22 February 2021 issued by GAD.
It must be mentioned that other than this particular case, there are many cases with high profile officials involved in the misappropriation of funds and backdoor appointments in RD&PR. But unlike this case, these cases remain untouched and many corrupt and backdoor appointed persons have even retired from their services as a result.
