Srinagar, June 24:The J & K Government has ordered premature retirement of nine employees of the Housing and Urban Development Department under Article 226 ( 2 ) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil services Regulations on charges of corruption .

As per the reports. the charges against the said officers , confirmed by the Departmental Committees and upheld by the designated review committee under Article 226 ( 2 ) , include misappropriation of funds , falsification of records and raising fake bills , allowing illegal constructions , comitting financial irregularities and making illegal appointments during their tenure in various ULBS .
Most of the officials have faced probes by the Anti – Corruption Bureau and were also suspended . News Article 226 ( 2 ) of the J & K Civil Services Regulations , 1956 allows the Government employees to be retired in ” public interest ” upon completing of 22 years of qualifying service or attaining 48 years of age . The Article is essentially meant to help in removal of deadwood from the government.
The employees are retired with a three month’s notice or three months of pay . However , they retain pensionary benefits .
The nine employees of Housing and Urban Development Department who face premature retirement include Mehraj – ud – din Buja , I / C Senior Building Officer , Srinagar Municipal Corporation who as Head Assistant Revenue Section , Srinagar Municipal Corporation , was arrested by Vigilance Organization Kashmir in a trap case , Ghulam Mohi – ud – Din Malik , who during his posting as in charge of EO Municipal Council Anantnag was involved in misappropriation , irregularities in financial transactions , illegal constructions , gross negligence and misconduct , Shabir Ahmad Wani , Assistant Sanitation Officer , MC Shopian , who during his posting as in – charge CEO Municipal Council Anantnag was involved in misappropriation , illegal constructions , irregularities in financial transactions , gross negligence , and misconduct , Zakir Ali , Sanitary Supervisor , MC Doda , Abdul Latief , Head Assistant , MC Banihal and Sukesh Kumar , Senior Assistant , MC Doda were involved in financial mismanagement by the drawal of fictitious bills against the non – existing Safaiwallas .
The other three employees of the Housing and Urban Development Department ousted for alleged corruption are Gowhar Ali Tugoo , I / c Secretary , Directorate of Urban Local Bodies , Kashmir was involved in cases regarding illegal appointments and financial irregularities made during his tenure at MC , Sopore , Mrs. Shagufta Fazil , Secretary , Directorate of Urban Local Bodies , Kashmir who was found involved in embezzlement and unauthorized withdrawal of TA and 7th Pay Commission arrears and Thakur Dass , Electrician , Municipal Committee Reasi was involved in huge case of embezzlement of funds and mismanagement finance.