On the Radar | RDD audits BDOs for proper qualification approval

Srinagar, Mar 31: The J&K Rural Development Department (RDD) has started an exhaustive exercise to authenticate the qualification degrees of the in-charge Block Development Officers (BDOs) who obtained their higher qualification, during services, without seeking permission from the competent authorities.

As per the communication issued by the RDD, the department has sought qualification details of in-charge BDOs from the Director RDD Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

As per the official communication, both directors have been asked to furnish tabulated information on permission granted by authorities not competent to grant permission, other than the Administrative Department.

“The information should indicate the name of the official who has been granted the permission, place of posting, and the authority granting the permission and the reference communication,” reads an official communication addressed to Director RDD Kashmir and Jammu division.

“Details of leaves availed by the officer for examination and other campus requirements should also be furnished,” it reads.

The Directors have been asked to furnish the details of the provisions in the service rules governing the respective cadre of the officials under consideration, focusing on study leave rules.

“Provide a summary of provisions in recruitment rules vis-à-vis benefit of acquiring higher education in career progression and place relevant abstracts in the file,” the official communication reads.

The RDD has also sought the summary of case-wise justification submitted by the candidate and subordinate offices in support of the recommendation for grant of post-facto permission, focusing on factors necessitating the same, for each case individually.

“Besides, any cases where post-facto permission is already granted as on date and any corresponding career progression benefits to the employees should also be provided,” the communication reads.

Following this, the Director RDD Kashmir and Jammu divisions have already communicated to the concerned Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) with the instructions to furnish the “point-wise” information in respect of Panchayat Inspectors Grade-l or Head Quarter Assistant of Kashmir and Jammu division of respective districts so that same is consolidated and submitted to Administrative Department accordingly.

In 2019, the then Secretary RDD ordered verification of degree certificates obtained by some in-charge BDOs and subsequently shifted some BDOs, who obtained their higher qualification during service, from their place of postings.

Among those BDOs who were shifted from their positions, some attained superannuation while some BDOs are still rendering their services in the department.

These BDOs have not yet produced their higher qualification degree certificates before the department.

Meanwhile, names of around 33 officers including 15 from the Kashmir division have been enlisted in the fresh communication issued by the department.

These include some retired in-charge BDOs while some are still in service.