Jammu Kashmir: DC Reasi Nidhi Malik Sacks 4 RDD Officials Over Corruption Charges

Jammu Kashmir: DC Reasi Nidhi Malik Sacks 4 RDD Officials Over Corruption Charges

SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nidhi Malik has ordered the termination of four temporary officials of the Rural Development Department (RDD) after an enquiry revealed their involvement in serious irregularities, manipulation of records and embezzlement of government funds.

The action comes after a detailed enquiry which exposed large-scale violations under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). ADDC Reasi Sukhdev Singh was the enquiry officer.

In Block Jij Bagli, the terminated temporary officials, Mohammad Latief Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) and Rahil Magotra (Technical Assistant), were found guilty of manipulating official records, issuing fake and duplicate job cards and irregular sanctioning of multiple IHHL units in violation of SBM guidelines. The enquiry revealed that out of 55 job cards under complaint, seven were fake, five were duplicate, twenty-four were deleted and thirty-one are active. The officials were also held responsible for misappropriation of government funds under MGNREGA, as highlighted in the Social Audit report.

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Similarly, in Block Chassana, Abdul Qayoom (GRS) and Arun Gandotra (Technical Assistant) were found responsible for major irregularities in the execution of works under the Swachh Bharat Mission. While financial records reflect an expenditure of Rs 3.00 lakh on the construction of a Community Sanitary Complex (CSC) in Panchayat Chassana-A, the asset was not found on the ground during the Social Audit.

Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner has taken up the matter with the Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD), recommending strict and exemplary action against the permanent employees who were posted during the period of irregularities. These include the BDOs of Chassana and Jij Bagli, AEE (REW Subdivision Mahore), Junior Engineers and Panchayat Secretaries.

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The Deputy Commissioner Reasi has also urged initiation of recovery proceedings against those involved, in line with the Jammu Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control Appeal) Rules, 1956, so that accountability is enforced and such malpractices are not repeated in the future.(GNS)