Mubashir Alam
Srinagar, Oct 16 :
The Jammu & Kashmir Government has removed president municipal committee Yaripora, Kulgam, Muhammad Yosouf Khan on the grounds of abusing his official powers.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Housing & Urban Development Department has removed Khan after a probe concluded that he “abused his official powers as the president of the committee, in violation of norms and acted in a manner which is unbecoming of a public servant and therefore is liable for action under section 26 of Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000.”
On June 20, 2023, the government had ordered an enquiry against Khan after receiving a representation about an illegal construction for which he had granted building permission- something that was beyond his role and competence.
The enquiry in the matter was conducted by Haris Ahmad Handoo, vice-chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA).
According to the report submitted to J&K government, Khan in his reply denied all charges against him but admitted that he had issued building permissions at the behest of the executive officer.
As per the report, Khan claimed that he signed building permissions as he was told that president municipal committee happens to be chairman BOCA.
As per inquiry officer, Khan further claimed that he is illiterate and doesn’t have knowledge of law.
This is the second time when J&K government has removed head of an urban local body for abusing his official position.
In September 2022, the government had removed then president municipal committee Awantipora for abusing his official position—(KNO)