Srinagar, May 22 (KNS): The state’s Urban Local Bodies has become a den of bunglings and illegal appointments by the Executive Officers of Municipal Committees, with Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development, Dheeraj Gupta ordering probe after probe against executive officers of municipalities in the last week only.

The three executive officers of municipalities of Tangmarg, Sopore, Hajin and former chairman MC Hajin at under investigation for illegal appointments in municipalities and executive officer Pampore for selling Kachaarie land in Pampore along with revenue officials.

Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development has issued four orders for probe into the illegal appointments and mismanagement of MCs by executive officers.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Farooq Ahmed Rather KAS, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir as inquiry officer to enquire into the matter and suggest measures for recovery of the illegal appointees appointed in Municipal Committee Hajin by Imtiyaz Ahmad Parray, the then president Municipal committee Hajin and others. The inquiry officer shall furnish the enquiry report within 30 days,” says one order issued by the principal secretary Dheeraj Gupta.

In another order, Gupta has directed for suspension of executive officer Sopore Abdul Lateef Mir for charges of mismanagement.

“Whereas allegations where levelled against Abdul Lateef Mir, I/C Executive Mir Municipal committee, Sopore regarding mismanagement in the committee.
Whereas the Director, Urban Local bodies, Kashmir constituted a team of officers headed by the Accounts Officer, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir For on spot inspection of Municipal Committee, Sopore.
Whereas the committee constituted furnished a fact Finding report to the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir indicating there in various mismanagements/grave lapses committed by Abdul Lateef Mir, I/C Executive officer, Municipal Committee Sopore.
Whereas, the director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir on the basis of the report Placed shri Abdul Lateef Mir I/C Executive officer Municipal Committee, Sopore under suspension vide order no. DULB/PS/601 of 2019 dated1.5. 2019.
Whereas, the report of the committee and other order has been considered by the competent Authority in the Administrative Department , who has uphold the order dated 1.5.2019 of Director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir based on the facts and circumstance of the case.
Now, therefore the action Taken by Director , Urban Local Bodies , Kashmir vide order No.DULB/PS/601 of dated 1.5.2019 dated 1.5.2019 placing Abdul Lateef Mir, I/C Executive officer, Municipal committee Sopore under suspension is hereby confirmed.”

Gupta has appointed SMC Commissioner Tariq Ali Mir to probe illegal appointments made in Municipal Committee Tangmarg.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Mir Tariq Ali , KAS Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation as Inquiry officer to conduct an enquiry regarding illegal appointments made in Municipal Committee Tangmarg in violation of norms from May, 2006 to December, 2013 I.e , period of posting of Ghulam Rasool Shah as secretary , Municipal committee Tangmarg.”

The fourth inquiry order has been issued against former executive officer MC Pampore for illegally selling Kachaarie land in Pampore.

“In supersession of all previous orders on the subject, sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Farooq Ahmad Rather, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir as Inquiry Officer to conduct regular departmental enquiry against Shabir Ahmed Wani, the then Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Pampore, Mushtaq Ahmad Bajard and Zaffar Hussain Shah, the then Tehsildars Pampore, Farooq Ahmed Ganai, the then Dealing Assistant Municipal Committee Pampore and Ali Mohd Naikoo, the then Khilafwarzi Inspector,” the Government Order No.127-HUD of 2019 issued by Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development reads. (KNS)