The authorities of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) have reportedly misled the UT administration about the officer who attempted to prevent a huge loss to the government exchequer, through backdoor appointments in the corporation.
It has been alleged that officer has been removed, as she objected backdoor appointments, done by the authorities “The voice of Shivani Bhan, Chief Accounts Officer, suppressed against the nexus of corrupt practices in JMC”, said JMC Councillor, Gourav Chopra.
“After issuance of letters, empanelled NGO’s and Commissioner, JMC by Chief Accounts Officer who is also Financial Advisor and Departmental Vigilance Officer vide No. : MJ/Acctts/6251-72 dated: 25.02.2023 & vide No. JMC/Acctts/ 206-10 dated: 17.04.2023 respectively and open discussion regarding refraining from any engagement of manpower/ backdoor appointments, in Executive Committee, the Chief Accounts Officer has been transferred before her tenure completes. Because she attempted to prevent a huge loss to the government exchequer”, the councillor claimed.
Chopra further said that it was a ‘punishment’ to the officer. “She was harassed, because she tried to save the Govt/Public money. She was got transferred, because she tried to bring the right facts in front of all and requested to follow Govt. rules and regulations”, the councillor added.
“In her communications, she requested that the budget for the new engagements is not available and first of all the present staff shall be rationalized which is definitely a good advice as a financial advisor but the higher authorities of JMC get offended. They misled the administrative department regarding CAO, JMC and getting her transferred”, he further added.
“The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Gupta known for their uprightness and honesty, should protect the honest officer. Such officers deserve an appreciation and not the reward of transfer which boosts the confidence of corrupt people and dips the morale of a morally upright officer”, he added. Chopra said that more 15 Councilors have raised their voices against backdoor appointments in the corporation and transfer of the CAO, but the government has turned deaf ear over, the misuse of power by the Mayor and Commissioner JMC. Meanwhile, the Commissioner JMC Rahul Yadav said that he was not aware of the backdoor appointments, if any done.
