news details |
|
|
| Secretary PHE abstains from LC Panel meeting | | `Ensure your presence or face consequences' | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 7: Amid rising chorus of newspaper reports about rampant corruption in PHE department, a Legislative Council panel today grilled the PHE department and refused to take the meeting of the officials of the department in absence of its Commissioner Secretary, Pawan Kotwal who was supposed to attend the meeting personally but preferred to stay in his cozy chambers.
The Standing Committee on Departments headed by fire-brand PDP legislator Muratza Khan had called a meeting of the PHE department in wake of the newspaper reports about misappropriation of public money in PHE department today, however, the meeting was suspended because the Commissioner Secretary PHE, Pawan Kotwal did not turn up for the meeting although he was present in his office in the Civil Secretariat.
Sources told Early Times that the committee comprising Murtaza Khan, Vijay Bakaya, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Mohammad Amin Bhat and Master Noor Hussain assembled in the Legislative Council lobby this morning to attend the meeting, however, Commissioner Secretary PHE, Pawan Kotwal did not turned up to the meeting which infuriated the members who suspended the meeting and directed the Commissioner to appear in person. It was made clear that the constitutional body would recommend action warranted under law incase he failed to ensure his presence on the next date.
Sources said though Special Secretary PHE, Showkat Ahmad Zargar accompanied by hydraulic engineers were available in the lobby, however, the committee, expressed displeasure over the non-chalant attitude of the Secretary.
The members observed that issues of vital public importance pertaining to the department have had to be discussed in the meeting and Commissioner Secretary being administrative head of the department was supposed to remain present in the meeting and take views from the members of the constitutional body.
The magnitude of the non-chalance of the Secretary has reached to such a level that such meetings of Constitutional bodies are being taken lightly which amounts widening the gap between the public and the Government. Being head of the department the Secretary has to formulate the policies taking into consideration the views of the elected representatives and plug the loopholes wherever these are noticed.
It merits a mention here that the Standing Committee on Departments headed by Murtaza Khan has the constitutional authority to summon, Works, Agriculture, Horticulture and many other departments to take stock of the departmental activities and deliberate the issues involving public money in these departments. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
