J&K Suspends 8 Officials Over Controversial School Books

“Whereas, keeping in view the above facts and circumstances of the matter, the members of the Sub-Committee Series 4 appear to be responsible for such serious lapses and negligence unbecoming of government servants. Now, therefore, the following officials and supervisory staff of the School Education Department, in terms of Rule 31(1)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect.”

The suspended officials include Fazil Imran Saddiqui, Coordinator, Library, Samagra Shiksha; Gurjeet Singh, Assistant Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha; Sanjeev Sharma, Principal, GHSS Kore Pannu, Kathua; Ms Shazia Kouser, Academic Officer, SCERT, Jammu; Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir, Lecturer, BHSS, Budgam; Niranjan Sharma, Lecturer, GHSS Badhat, Kishtwar, DIET, Jammu; Ms Renu Mengi, Lecturer; and Ms Rajmohini, Lecturer, GGHSS, Poonch.

The order further stated that during the period of suspension, they shall remain attached to the Administrative Department (School Education Department).

“It is further ordered that Sheikh Suheel Ahmad, Computer Assistant (Contractual) assisting the Coordinator, Library, Samagra Shiksha, is hereby disengaged with immediate effect from his contractual engagement,” the order added.

Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Rohit Sharma, JKAS, Additional Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, has been appointed as the Presenting Officer in the case.

“The Inquiry Officer shall submit his report to the Competent Authority within 30 days.

“Further, it is ordered that the aforementioned authors and publishers are hereby banned and blacklisted henceforth in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, any printed material authored and/or published by them shall also be withdrawn from the Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” the order said.