Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday alleged that officers appointed by Raj Bhavan were carrying out selective demolition drives without consulting the elected government, in an attempt to defame it.
Speaking to the media, as per news agency, the CM claimed that officers were using bulldozers without the knowledge or approval of the elected government.“Officials appointed by Raj Bhavan are using bulldozers at their own discretion, without the permission of the elected government and without the consent of the concerned minister. It clearly means that a massive conspiracy has been hatched to malign and humiliate the elected government,” he said.
He added that the elected government should have the authority to appoint field staff. “It is fine that you (Raj Bhavan) appoint commissioners, secretaries, principal secretaries, and additional chief secretaries, but CEOs of development authorities should be appointed by the elected government. Revenue staff should also be appointed with our permission. It is unfortunate that officers are being appointed to these posts without consulting us, and then they take dictation from elsewhere, bring in bulldozers, and initiate action on their own,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister further alleged that the actions appeared to target a particular community. “Was this the only spot in Jammu where allegations of illegal occupation on JDA land have been made? I have now asked the department for a complete list of all places where people are illegally occupying JDA property. I want to see whether this individual was targeted because of his religion. It cannot be that this is the only allegation of encroachment on all JDA land,” he said.
Abdullah described the demolition drives as direct interference in the functioning of the elected government. “We are being told that there is no interference in our functioning. This is direct interference. Show me any file that proves the minister was informed or that bulldozers were used after consulting us. These officers, who use bulldozers selectively to humiliate the elected government, should refrain from such acts,” he said.
He added that if an officer appointed by the elected government had taken similar action, disciplinary measures would have followed. “How can such an action be taken without ministerial permission? This is done solely to humiliate and defame the elected government because they cannot digest the election results,” he said