In Jammu and Kashmir, recent events involving Ashok Parmar, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official, have aroused debate and controversy. Since March 2022, Parmar has been transferred five times. He is currently the chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. He complained to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for harassment and humiliation.
Background of IAS officer Ashok Parmar.
The allegations against him have raised concerns among the public and ignited a heated discussion. Ashok Parmar, a 1992 batch IAS officer was initially appointed SDM Mendhar in the Poonch district, where his wrongdoing resulted in a number of complaints against him. The then-governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Divisional Commissioner BR Kundal took notice of the situation.
He was assigned as an additional secretary to the Department of Food Supplies and Transportation in 1997, where he went to his hometown of Gujrat without seeking permission to do so from the appropriate authorities, prompting an explanation against him.
According to the data available to us, these circumstances prevented him from being assigned as deputy commissioner throughout his first 10 years of service. In 2002, he was given the responsibility of deputy commissioner for Kargil, but after only seven months in the position because of the same contentious character, he was prematurely called back.
In 2006, Parmar was given the position of deputy commissioner in Udhampur, but he was once again accused of misusing state funds by using paramilitary helicopters and choppers without a valid reason. Harsdhev Singh, a former minister and member of the legislative assembly, filed a complaint for an investigation and requested that Parmar be transferred.
Recent Allegations.
Parmar was recently given the responsibility of Principal Secretary of the Jal Shakti department in Jammu and Kashmir, where it’s alleged that he made 398 premature relocations despite the transfer window being closed, according to reports. Parmar’s persistently subpar performance and controversial nature have reportedly led to his back-to-back transfers.
In a recent complaint to the National Commission for scheduled castes, Ashok Parmar accused Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, the chief secretary, of harassment and frequent transfers as a result of his criticism of “bunglings” in the Jal Jeevan Mission’s implementation.
Political Parties criticism.
Mehbooba Mufti the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, taking to her Twitter handle, tweeted that. “Allegations about corruption at the highest level in J&K have finally found feet to stand upon. When an IAS officer confirms the rot in the system at the very top it indicates the grave risks he’s taken by exposing them. Instead of punishing culprits responsible for bungling of thousands of 3000 crores in the Jal Jeevan scheme, an upright officer is made to suffer”.
Local Critics.
While as in reply to his tweet, A Twitter handler, with name Asra Imtiyaz Beigh, replied. “Wasn’t it then your govt when the same officer was abruptly relocated from Kargil after only 7 months & an action was made against him in 2006 as well? At the time, did you engage in corruption, or did he? The reason you are using him as cannon fodder this time is well known to all”.
Another Twitter handle Rayees Khan, replied. “It’s not a big deal for you to use Parmar as ammo against those who exposed you; you’ve been selling Mufti Sahab’s dreams for a while, so why not dress up your store with Ashok Parmar’s grievances if it helps your political business. Rest the people are well-known who’s who”.
It is significant to note that the current administration in Jammu and Kashmir has yet to communicate its position on this important issue.
