4 RDD officials sacked in Reasi for corrupt practices

Reasi, Sep 5: In a decisive action against corruption, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Nidhi Malik, on Friday ordered the termination of four 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 officials, Mohd Latief (GRS) and Rahil Magotra (Technical Assistant), were found guilty of manipulating official records, issuing fake and duplicate job cards and irregularly sanctioning multiple IHHL units in violation of SBM guidelines. The enquiry revealed that out of 55 job cards under complaint, seven were fake, five were duplicates, twenty-four were deleted and thirty-one still remained active, a government spokesperson said.

The officials were also held responsible for misappropriation of government funds under MGNREGA, as highlighted in the social audit report.

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. Despite financial records reflecting an expenditure of Rs 3 lakh for 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 took 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. They included the BDOs of Chassana and Jij Bagli, AEE (REW sub-division Mahore), junior engineers and Panchayat Secretaries, the spokesperson said.

The Deputy Commissioner of Reasi 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 was enforced and such malpractices were not repeated in the future.

“DC Reasi affirms unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability in all areas of public service,” the spokesperson said.