JAMMU, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has strongly condemned the alleged misconduct by a senior IAS officer towards JKAS officer Baneesh Wani and demanded an impartial inquiry. State president Manish Sahni called for the officer concerned to be removed from key responsibilities until the inquiry is completed and strict action taken if the allegations are established.
Sahni said the alleged misbehaviour with a junior woman officer during an official review meeting raises serious questions about administrative work culture, the conduct of senior officers and accountability. He asserted that no officer should consider their position or authority a licence to cross the bounds of dignity and decorum.
Sahni said that following the merger of the Jammu and Kashmir IAS, IPS and Forest Service cadres into the AGMUT cadre in January 2021, the appointment and transfer of officers came under the central cadre management system. According to him, this has weakened coordination and accountability between the local administration and the public, leaving ordinary citizens feeling helpless.
He called for competent local IAS and JKAS officers to be given opportunities to hold key positions and urged officers posted from outside Jammu and Kashmir to work in coordination with local officials, the elected government and the public.
Sahni said emphatically, “Jammu and Kashmir is not any officer’s personal fiefdom. Officers are servants of the people, not their rulers. They must shed their arrogance, listen to public grievances, respect local officers and remain accountable.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded a transparent, time-bound and pressure-free inquiry into the matter.