Srinagar, Apr 22: Senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Thursday said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s latest order to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) to dismiss or take other punitive action against the government employees allegedly found involved in ‘anti-national activities without holding any inquiry is ‘arbitrary and draconian’.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that it is ironic that when the government should concentrate on dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, it seems to be busy with choreographing normalcy junkets and focusing on information blockade.
Tarigami said there are already enough provisions in the law to take action against those employees, who are found violating service rules and there was no need to issue new orders on the account. “The latest order can serve as a tool to the government and bureaucrats to suppress their subordinates. A sword of uncertainty has been kept on the heads of employees which can also be exploited by their superiors,” he said.
He said dismissing an employee or taking punitive action against him without holding any inquiry is against the principles of justice and basic rights. “An employee is first a citizen and has all the constitutional rights. The need of the hour is to safeguard these constitutional rights,” he said.
“Such measures deepen the anger and discontentment among the ranks of employees. It seems this order has not been given a thought before passing and needs to be reviewed,” he added.
“Ironic! When dealing with pandemic needs whole of the government approach, it seems to be busy with thought policing, choreographing normalcy junkets and focusing on information blockade,” the PDP said in a tweet.
