Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Departmental Review Committee (DRC) to review the status of suspension cases of departmental officials.
The meeting was attended by Director RDD Kashmir Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director RDD Jammu Shahnaz Akhtar, Director Finance Umar Khan, Additional Secretary Waseem Raja, Deputy Legal Remembrancer Parmjeet Singh, concerned Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) and other senior officers.
During the meeting, the Secretary undertook a detailed review of ongoing cases. He emphasized the need for fair, transparent and time-bound disposal of departmental inquiries. He directed the officers to strictly adhere to prescribed timelines and ensure timely submission of reports to avoid unnecessary delays.
The Secretary stressed strict compliance with the judicial directions, particularly in cases where court verdicts have already been pronounced, reiterating the department’s commitment to the rule of law. He also underscored that safeguarding public funds remains a top priority.
The Secretary assured that the rights of employees would be fully protected and that all proceedings would follow due process, reflecting a balanced approach of firmness and fairness. He further called for strengthening financial discipline, institutional integrity and good governance practices across all levels of the department.
Pertinently, the Departmental Review Committee was constituted vide Government Order No. 320-JK (RD&PR) of 2021 dated November 18, 2021, to ensure systematic, transparent and time-bound review of suspension cases, including monitoring inquiry progress and recommending appropriate action.