J&K Govt orders probe against president MC Langate for abusing his official powers

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry against the president of municipal committee Langate for “abusing” his official powers.
The Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) has appointed Kafeel Ahmed Ferozi, officiating chief architect, J&K architect organisation, as the inquiry officer to probe into the conduct of Municipal Committee Langate president Shanawaz Abdullah for abusing official powers.
According to an order issued by the H&UDD the inquiry officer shall afford an opportunity of being heard to the president concerned as a principle of natural justice.
The order states that Muhammad Rafeeq Bhat, Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir shall be the presenting officer in the inquiry.
The inquiry officer shall submit his report within 15 days, the order further states.
The probe has been ordered under Section 26 of Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Council Act-2000, which empowers the Government to remove a president or vice-president of Municipality from his office on the ground of abuse of his powers or of habitual failure to perform his duties.
In the past two years, the Housing & Urban Development Department had ordered probes against heads of several urban local bodies in Kashmir.
In September last year, it had removed Bilal Ahmad Bhat, President, Municipal Committee, Awantipora from his office on the grounds of abuse of his official powers