Premature, frequent transfers in FCS & CA deptt Kashmir go unnoticed, tainted officials hold key positions

Srinagar: Frequent and premature transfers in Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department in Kashmir resulting in placement of juniors over seniors have gone unnoticed despite the fact that government in last year’s transfer policy has itself put restrictions on frequent and premature transfers in the government departments. Though Director FCS& CA Kashmir Dr Ab Salaam Mir says that officials have been transferred on charges of poor performance but interestingly their performance is adjudged upto the standards in their annual performance reports (APRs). Meanwhile Advisor to Lt Governor holding the portfolio of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department told “Kashmir Horizon” that he will look into the issues of transfers in the department.
Transfer orders issued in recent days the copies of which have been accessed by “Kashmir Horizon” reveal that one Reyaz Ahmad Sofi promoted as Tehsil Supplies Officer (TSO) in OPG (own pay & grade) only three months ago has been posted Chief Inspector Transport a key position in the FCS &CA directorate usually held by senior officials of the Inspector rank . Sources said that Reyaz Ahmad Sofi has not been moved even once out of FCS&CA directorate during his 25 years of service in the department. Interestingly Nisar Ahmad Shalla the outgoing Inspector Transport is one of the senior officials of Inspector rank but has been transferred prematurely only after a short span of one year. Two storekeepers Mushtaq Ahmad Waza and Waseem Mukhtar of the Transport section too have been transferred prematurely. While Waza was posted in the transport section only five months ago, another store keeper Waseem Mukhtar was posted in the transport section just one year ago. Allegations are galore that Assistant Director South Srinagar simultaneously holding the additional charge of Assistant Director Enforcement is the brain behind the immature and frequent transfers in the department. Meanwhile top sources revealed to “Kashmir Horizon” that Mushtaq Ahmad WaniAssistant Director South Srinagar simultaneously holding the additional charge of Assistant Director Enforcement Mushtaq is facing trial in one case in the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (J&K ACB) and in another case in the Crime Branch of J&K Police. Though premature and frequent transfers go against the transfer policy announced by the government last year but Director FCS&CA Kashmir Dr Ab Salaam Mir told Kashmir Horizon “transfers in FCS& CA have to be ordered frequently and prematurely for streamlining the department”. He further said “wrong doers disturbing transparency and accountability in the department won’t be spared”. However Advisor to Lt Governor Farooq Ahmad Khan told Kashmir Horizon “I will look into the issues of premature and frequent transfers in the department”