Jammu Tawi, Apr 4: Defending the transfer of 48 middle-rung officers in the bureaucracy by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday criticised the National Conference (NC) government for questioning the move and said that these transfers were conducted within his jurisdiction.
The transfer of bureaucrats four days ago has triggered the latest flashpoint between the Raj Bhavan and the J&K government, which views the LG’s move as a violation of the legal and administrative framework under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
Under the Act, which came into effect in October 2019, all transfers related to law and order fall under the LG’s purview, the BJP leader said at a press conference here.
“He has acted within his jurisdiction. These transfers are routine and in accordance with the law,” he said while replying to a question on a meeting being called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the issue.
Accusing NC of treating J&K as its “personal property” for decades, Sharma said the ruling party has failed to acknowledge that that “era is over” and J&K is now a Union Territory, like Puducherry and Delhi, and governed accordingly.
He also pointed out that the chief minister and other ministers also make transfers within their respective departments, including appointments of principals, lecturers, and other officials.
He further criticised the party for failing to deliver on its promises to the people during elections. “They have not provided 200 units of free electricity as promised. Their ration scheme is only for two years, yet they claim it will last five years,” Sharma said.
He also questioned NC’s intention behind demanding statehood for J&K. “Those who are demanding statehood are doing so to gain control over transfers and industries. The people should understand whether this demand is for the welfare of the state or for personal power and influence,” he said.
During the presser, Sharma also condemned the alleged manhandling of former minister Harsh Dev Singh at Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s residence and added that such incidents reflect the “frustration” of the ruling party.
Omar fuelling confrontation with LG: Chugh
Chandigarh, Apr 4: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, who is also the party’s in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday accused J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of “deliberately creating a situation of confrontation with the office of the lieutenant governor to divert public attention from his failure to fulfil election promises”.
Chugh also claimed that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was constitutionally within his administrative rights to transfer J-K government officials.
“The Union Home Ministry will address the differences between the LG and the chief minister. However, the Abdullah government must focus on fulfilling the promises made to the youth, women and the unemployed,” Chugh said in a statement.
There have been differences between the Abdullah-led J-K government and the LG’s office on several administrative issues, and Sinha’s recent order to transfer/post 48 middle-rung Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officials only escalated the disquiet.
Chugh also accused Abdullah of following “the same confrontational path as Arvind Kejriwal (earlier) in Delhi by attempting to spread a misleading narrative”.
“It will serve no purpose. Abdullah must present his performance report, as the people of J-K are waiting for him to deliver on his promises,” Chugh said.
Expressing his disapproval over the transfer order, Abdullah wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, LG Sinha and the chief secretary of J-K, claiming that the order issued without any “lawful authority” undermined the authority of the elected government.
Abdullah also asked Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to ensure that no transfer/posting orders for non-All India Services officers are issued without the chief minister’s prior approval.
In his letter to Shah, Abdullah said a series of actions by the LG, including the contested transfers, have eroded the authority of the elected government, highlighting a growing discord between the elected administration and the LG’s office in the union territory.
