Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 4: In blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and despite government order, several overstaying Block Development officers (BDOs) are still sticking to the posts they are holding for past more than three years.
Highly placed sources informed Early Times that despite an order issued by Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj last month, prior to issuance of notification for Panchayat Elections-2018, some BDOs enjoying patronage of senior officers in Secretariat, have not be relieved till date.
"In order to ensure free and fair elections, it is necessary that transfer of officers/officials connected with the Panchayat Elections, directly or indirectly, is effected in such a manner that no officer/official shall have jurisdiction over the area, who belongs to/resides in that area, whose tenure is more than three years in different capacities in that area", Govt order No RD&PR/Estt/GAZ/128/2017, dated 17-10-2018 addressed to All Deputy Commissioners and Director RDD Jammu, Kashmir read. Meanwhile, sources in department said that two BDOs are overstaying even the period mentioned in above said order. "Ranjeet Singh, BDO Marh is sticking on same post for more than three years, and also holding additional charge of BDO Bhalwal Brahmana, in similar way, Mohinder Singh BDO, Suchetgarh including several other BDOs are sitting at same place till date", they claimed and added that those who have spent more than two and half years could also influence the upcoming Panchayat elections.
"Apart from overstaying for more than three years, there are several BDOs in Jammu district alone who have completed their two and half years term and have not been transferred yet, owing to patronage of politicians or top officers", they added.
Sources further said that a senior officer in RD&PR Secretariat is allegedly shielding overstaying BDOs. "The officer recently favoured his blue eyed boys who were promoted in violation of rules, also playing major role for release of funds", they said and added though he was also running the transfer industry, but his wings were clipped recently by Government. |
