Government orders enquiry into allegations against president ULB Anantnag

Srinagar, Nov 17: In a significant move, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry into allegations against president municipal council Anantnag.

The Housing & Urban Development Department has appointed Haris Ahmad Handoo, vice-chairman Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), as inquiry officer to enquire into the allegations against president Municipal Council Anantnag. Hilal Ahmad Shah of Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party is president of the urban local body.

According to an order, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta has ordered the inquiry under section 26 of Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Act-2000.

“As a principle of natural justice, reasonable opportunity of being heard shall be afforded to the president concerned,” the order states.

The H&UDD has appointed Rafeeq Ahmad, deputy director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir as presenting officer in the case.

The inquiry shall be completed within a period of 15 days.

Under section 26 of the Municipal Act, the Government is empowered to remove a President or Vice-President from his/her office on the ground of abuse of his powers or of habitual failure to perform his duties.

“Provided that no removal of the president or vice-president shall be notified unless the matter has been enquired into by an officer, appointed by the government and the president or vice-president, as the case may be, has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard,” the law states.

Earlier this year, the government removed president Municipal Committee, Awantipora, Bilal Ahmad Bhat on the grounds of abusing his official position.