Mehbooba fumes as 3 J&K officials dismissed

PDP PRESIDENT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ‘MISPLACED PRIORITIES’ DURING THE PANDEMIC

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Three government officials, including an assistant professor, were dismissed from service over alleged anti-state activities in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing strong criticism from PDP president Mehbooba Mufti who said the government has “misplaced priorities” during the pandemic.

It’s the first such action after the administration formed a committee last month that is empowered to look into allegations of involvement in antistate activities against government employees and recommend dismissal.

The separate orders against Assistant Professor, Geography, Government Degree College, Women, Udhampur, Abdul Bari Naik, Naib Tehsildar, Pulwama–ii, Nazir Ahmad Wani and Teacher Government Middle School, Kralpora (Kupwara) Idrees Jan were uploaded by the General Administration Department (GAD) on its website on Monday. According to the identical orders, the dismissal of the three officials was directed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on April 30 under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution and stated that it is not expedient to hold an inquiry in these cases.

The orders said the Lt Governor is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of the information available that the activities of Naik, Wani and Jan are such as to warrant their dismissal from service.

The orders said the Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in their cases. Officials said the three officials were named in separate FIRS and also underwent detention.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti reacted sharply to the sacking of the government employees. “In the middle of a pandemic GOI should focus on saving lives instead of firing govt employees on flimsy grounds in Kashmir. No wonder its misplaced priorities have converted India into shamshanghats & kabristans. The living continue to suffer & the dead are deprived of dignity,” the former chief minister tweeted.