Srinagar, Aug 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has sought a factual report from the Housing and Urban Development Department after National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq moved a privilege motion against Executive Engineer, Lake Division-I, Niyaz Ahmad Ganai, alleging breach of legislative privilege and contempt of the House.
It read that"The matter was placed before the Speaker, who directed that comments and a factual report be obtained from the concerned officer through the administrative department in the first instance"
The Secretariat has asked the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, to furnish the comments of the Executive Engineer within seven days so that the matter can be placed before the Speaker for consideration. In his privilege notice, Tanvir Sadiq, MLA from Zadibal, alleged that he had, on July 25, brought to the Executive Engineer's attention the collapse of a culvert at Rooni Mohalla Mir Behri Dal, which, he said, resulted in a vehicle sinking into the adjoining lake and posed a serious threat to public safety.
The legislator claimed he forwarded a video of the incident to the Executive Engineer through WhatsApp, requesting immediate intervention. However, instead of initiating remedial measures or directing field staff to act, the officer allegedly replied,
Sadiq further alleged that when he telephoned the officer, he was told, "I am in meeting.
Describing the response as shocking and unbecoming of a government officer, the MLA alleged that the Executive Engineer failed to discharge his official responsibility and instead shifted the responsibility to the elected representative.
Sadiq alleged that the officer's conduct violated the government instructions, amounted to disrespect towards an elected representative and undermined the dignity of the Legislative Assembly.
Through the privilege motion, the MLA has requested the Speaker to admit the motion, refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed inquiry, recommend appropriate disciplinary action against the officer, and direct the government to take immediate administrative action, including placing the Executive Engineer under suspension pending inquiry.
The Assembly Secretariat, however, has not taken any decision on the privilege motion and has sought the officer's comments before the matter is placed before the Speaker.(KNS)
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