Bashir Assad
Jammu, Jan 28: In gross violation of its own deputation policy, the J&K government has apparently bent all rules to get blue eyed government officials on deputation from one department to another that too without consulting the General Administration Department which is the only monitoring authority in the state. However, the deputation practice in violation of the norms is more discernible in Rural Develo-pment Department. What is even more interesting to note is that in breach of rules, the officials continue to work even on the expiry of their term of deputation.
There are at least 10 Project Officers on deputation to the Rural Development Department whose deputation has not been repatriated even after the expiry of their term.
Even though the deputation practice was stopped in 2003 by amending the rules, however, law makers at the highest level have been violating the same like anything.
To quote an example, in 2010 in reference to the Minister for Rural Development and Law and Parliamentary Affairs No. PS-HM/RD/LPA/1206 dated 21-07-2010 and also O.M.Nos. Agri-E/Dep/91/2010 dated 23-08-2010 and ….10-2010, the General Administration Department Vide its No. GAD(ser)/Genl/155/2010 dated 22-10-2010 placed the services of one Shabir Ahmad Wani, Agriculture Extension Officer, at the disposal of Rural Development Department on an equivalent level post in the department for a period of two years on an ex-cadre basis. Though the rules for deputing officials from one department to another were amended rather abolished in 2006, however, the rules prior 2003 were providing for deputation of officials from Agriculture Department to the Rural Development Department against the posts of Assistant Project Officers.
But in the instant case Wani was posted as Block Development Officer in Sogam, Lolab Block in Kupwara district on the directions of the Rural Development Minister-again in contravention to the norms. Though term of deputation of the said official to the RDD expired on December22, 2012, he is still continuing as BDO Sogam till date without any orders.
Commissioner Secretary Rural Development Department, Farooq Ahmad Peer while talking to Early Times confirmed that at least 10 project officers are on deputation with RDD despite the fact that in most cases their term of deputation to the department has expired. Admitting that rules were being followed in breach, Peer said that the culture of deputation was abolished in 2003 and rules were amended, however, breach of rules continues owing to varying factors.
Peer said, " prior to 2003 rules were providing for 30% quota from Agriculture Department and 10% from Tourism Department to RDD, however, it was not deputation in any case". Realizing that the very purposes of deputation of officials from other departments to RDD was defeated and it had opened flood gate for corrupt practices, the practice was abolished and repatriation of officials to the parent departments was effected.
He said that in the process many officials were pressing for permanent absorption in RDD which was not possible. However, a good number of officials continued whose future is still hanging fire.
Peer said that only in case of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA), the government of India guidelines provide for absorption of officials in RDD and the state government was considering absorption of 187 employees of DRDA in the department.
Commenting on the practice of deputation in contravention of the norms, a senior GAD official told Early Times that though the practice was abandoned, however, it still continues owing to the pressure from the political establishment.
As granting extension or re-appointing the retired officials is illegal so is the deputation of officials from one department to another.
About the instant case of Shabir Ahmad Wani, the official said since the Minister Incharge was also holding the portfolio of Law, the enormity of pressure is understood.
He said that atleast from December 22, 2012, the official was illegally holding the post and all the orders passed during this period and withdrawals made are totally fraud. |
