SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken strong note of an alleged incident where a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer verbally abused a female Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer during an online meeting. The Chief Minister stated that the bureaucrat’s conduct, along with subsequent threats to the junior officer, was not in keeping with the expected standards for a senior official.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Chief Minister, reacting to a video of the incident circulating on social media, conveyed his concerns to the Chief Secretary. He emphasized that while the Union Territory’s direct control over IAS officers lies with the central government, he has instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure the JKAS officer does not face any retaliatory action.
The incident reportedly involved senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan and Assistant Director Beenish Wani. The dispute arose during a review meeting concerning the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) as part of the Mission YUVA initiative. Videos of the heated exchange have surfaced online, drawing widespread condemnation from the JKAS fraternity.
Mr. Abdullah expressed his disappointment, noting that if Jammu and Kashmir were a state, the IAS officer involved would have been attached to the General Administration Department pending an inquiry. He added that as a Union Territory, the administration expects authorities with control over IAS officers to uphold appropriate conduct and ensure that abusive and threatening behavior is addressed.
The JKAS officers’ association has publicly denounced the alleged abuse and humiliation of Ms. Wani, calling for an impartial investigation into the matter. The incident has ignited discussions within administrative circles regarding the conduct of senior officials and the mechanisms for addressing such grievances in a Union Territory setup.
The Chenab Times News Desk