DC recommended high level probe against then PRO Kewal Sharma Petitioner files application to seek ATR from GAD, Div Com

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In the much publicized petition filed by Prof. S.K Bhalla seeking initiation of disciplinary proceedings and withdrawal of security cover from Kewal Krishan Sharma, the then Additional PRO to then Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and also highlighting accumulation of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income by the said PRO on Monday took a new turn when the whistleblower filed a Miscellaneous Petition in the State High Court at Jammu Wing seeking appropriate directions to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Commissioner/ Secretary to Government General Administration Department, Commissioner/ Secretary to Government Forest Department, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to file an Action Taken Report (ATR) with regard to the detailed report bearing No.DMJ/PA /2014/160-63 dated 29th September, 2014 submitted by then Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Ajeet Kumar Sahu to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu with copies to GAD, Commissioner/ Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department and Inspector General of Police Jammu.
In the Miscellaneous Petition filed through Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, the petitioner has enclosed a copy of the enquiry conducted by then Deputy Commissioner, Jammu with regard to the photo advertisement news item depicting Kewal Krishan Sharma then Additional PRO distributing cheques worth Rs.20 lakh to flood affected victims in Sub-Division Khour in presence of SDM, Khour. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu in his report has stated that the SDM Khour submitted a detailed report into the matter and the said report has revealed that SDM Khour was distributing cheques among the flood affected people of Village Palatan and Chahani Divanoo of Sub-Division Khour on September, 27, 2014 under SDRF and the concerned Sarpanch of the Panchayat was there for identification of the beneficiaries. A person unknown to SDM appeared and was looking at the cheques with Sarpanch for identification while SDM was distributing the cheques and the said unknown person was extending his hands towards the cheques without the knowledge of the SDM. When it came to his knowledge he asked the said person not to be there as the programme was apolitical and no uncalled person has to be there and ultimately stopped the distribution of cheques. On enquiry, it was revealed that the said person was Kewal Krishan Sharma, an employee of Forest Department presently on deputation in the Housing and Urban Development Department and working in the personal section of Deputy Chief Minister against the post of a clerk. He asked the said PRO to immediately leave the spot as his presence was neither required nor he was called. The report of SDM further revealed that on the next day it was astonishing to see the photograph in a local newspaper dated 28th September, 2014 with a caption ‘Kewal Krishan Sharma PRO to Deputy Chief Minister distributing cheques amounting to Rs. 20 lakh in presence of SDM Khour and Tehsildar Khour, Sarpanch Gurdev Singh of Panchayat Palatan Block Khour also accompanied him’.
The report of Deputy Commissioner, Jammu further said that SDM Khour has recommended strict disciplinary action against the said PRO as his act has caused embarrassment to the Government as a whole and he was not competent to get his photograph clicked and sent it to the local dailies for publication.
The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu while concluding his enquiry observed that there are discrete reports about the harassment and misuse of the official position by the said PRO in respect of the offices of Director School Education Jammu, Chief Education Officer Jammu and other educational offices as well wherein the said PRO exerts pressure for unjust transfers of the officers/officials of the Education Department. Sahu in his report further said that it is astonishing to note that the said PRO moves with a strong contingent of security not understandable how he has been allotted without security gradation and protocol and finally the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu recommended to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and GAD to get the activities of the said PRO probed so that confidence of the public is instilled in rule of law.
In the Miscellaneous Petition, it is stated that the detailed report was submitted by the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as well as senior functionaries of the State in GAD/Housing and Urban Development Department on 29th September 2014 but till date no disciplinary action has been initiated against the high profile PRO primarily for the reason that he continues to enjoy the patronage of his mentor i.e. then Deputy Chief Minister. In the Miscellaneous Petition, the petitioner has sought directions to the GAD as well as Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to submit an ATR (Action Taken Report) with regard to the enquiry report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu wherein a high level probe was recommended against Kewal Krishan Sharma. JNF