KULGAM: The Rural Development Department has suspended the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Devsar, Kulgam, for allegedly signing blank work authorities under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), in violation of established guidelines and service conduct rules.
As per an official order, MGNREGA guidelines clearly stipulate that work authorities must be issued only before the commencement of any project by the Gram Panchayat. However, it has been reported that the BDO of Devsar, Mr. Arif Ayaz Dar, bypassed this procedure by signing blank work orders, raising serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and possible financial irregularities.
“In view of the above and pending inquiry, Mr. Arif Ayaz Dar, BDO Devsar (also holding additional charge of Block Kund), is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect,” the order states. During the suspension period, he will remain attached to the office of the Assistant Commissioner Development, Kulgam.
In the interim, the BDOs of Behibagh and D.H. Pora have been assigned charge of Block Devsar and Block Kund, respectively.
The Assistant Commissioner Development, Kulgam, has been tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter and is required to submit a detailed report, along with comments, to the Directorate within ten days.
The department has taken a serious view of the incident, citing it as a breach of conduct rules governing government officials and a potential risk to the public exchequer.
