Daily commuting staff cars between Jammu-Katra and even upto Kathua despite having official accommodation at Katra with free electricity, batmen and cooks
Few commuting between Udhampur-Katra without Board’s approval
Absence of financial controls and Financial Controller himself misusing official position and commuting official vehicle between Jammu-Katra
No travelling allowance to Shrine Board’s staff
GY CORRESPONDENT
jammu, aug 03
If one study instructions issued from time to time for use of staff car in the Central Government and State Government including PSUs and other autonomous statutory organizations, there are SOPs. Whereas in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board such provisions of staff cars are silent or have not followed by the mighty lobby of deputation staff and which needs immediate comprehensive review of the Chairman of the Shrine Board. In comparison with the state governments rules conditions for use of staff cars is to be made for bona-fide official purpose. The bona¬ fide official purpose is determined by the Competent Authority of the Government. Staff Cars never be used for official journeys outside headquarters, without the approval of the Competent Authority whereas officers who are on deputation in Shrine Board are not accountable to any Authority.
Since Shrine Board has mostly officers imported on deputation from the J&K Government, they have occupied lavished accommodation at Katra along with batmen and cooks on the other hand there is huge shortage of staff in different Units of Shrine Board. As per rules no officer can employ or engage any subordinate for any domestic, private or personal service.
Furthermore entitled officials cannot keep the vehicles at their disposal belonging to the Government Undertakings or of Quasi Government/Autonomous Organizations/ Public Sector Undertakings except when on tour. Whereas in Shrine Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board control of transport wing and responsibilities of Controlling Officers who are themselves properly misusing different kind of vehicles for his non-official purpose and covers journey upto his native home in Kathua which is 150 kilometre away from Katra based headquarter without permission from the Chief Executive Officer and such journeys are not maintained in the departmental log books. On daily basis he commute between Jammu-Katra and same is the case with another Officer who commutes official vehicle between Katra based headquarter and Udhampur without permission from the Competent Authority.
Generally, in government, staff car for limited non-official purpose by the entitled officers are allowed upto certain limits but on payment basis but there are no such regulations in Shrine Board and misuse of official vehicles by the state government deputation staff are on peak.
As per procedure in vogue the Financial Controller or any delegated officer should scrutinize the logbook of each official car once in a month to ensure that there is no misuse but when they themselves commuting between Jammu-Katra without the approval of the Competent Authority, then who will monitor or control such wrongs. It is also worthwhile to recall that in 2018, under the Government of Tamilnadu, retired IPS officer was penalized for misuse of official vehicle and the then Chief secretary Tom Jose recovered Rs 74,552 from D Madhu for using his official vehicle for personal purposes without government permission.
Earlier also such issue and misuse of official Bolero and Suzuki Swift Dezire of Shrine Board was highlighted against the delinquent officers of Shrine Board for shopping purposes of their spouses and relatives. Misuse of Board’s vehicles for personal use is nothing new but on the other hand adamant administration in the hands of these deputationists has not implemented travelling allowance in favour of the Board staff.
LG of JKUT who is also Chairman of the Board should take cognizance of such misuse of Shrine Board’s vehicles and direct law enforcement authorities to take action on such official who are misusing organizational machinery. Only LG who is also chairman of the Board or CEO can tight noose on these mighty officers of the Board who have been given staff car facility should mend their ways should not commute vehicles over such a long distance for personal use.
