Jammu, Apr 24: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated disciplinary action against two government employees in separate districts, underscoring a firm stance on administrative accountability.
In Samba district, Deputy Commissioner Ayushi Soodan ordered the suspension of a revenue official, identified as girdawar Pankaj Singh Jamwal, for failing to complete the digitisation of land records within the prescribed timeline. The action followed repeated directives that reportedly went unheeded.
According to official sources, the Tehsildar of Bari Brahmana flagged the lapse, noting that no jamabandis official land ownership records were digitised in the Patwar Halqua Smailpur area between April 8 and April 15. The lapse was described in the order as a serious breach of duty, reflecting negligence in the execution of assigned responsibilities.
Pending further investigation, the official has been placed under suspension and attached to the office of the Tehsildar in Samba. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Vijaypur has been the inquiry officer and directed to submit findings within a 15 day timeframe.
In a separate development in Doda district, the Forest Department suspended a beat guard, Mushtaq Ahmed, after a vehicle transporting illegal deodar timber was intercepted in the Bhadarwah area.
Officials said a joint team comprising the Forest Protection Force and territorial staff from the Neru range seized a vehicle carrying 20 pieces of green deodar timber during a night operation between April 21 and 22 in Jalga village. During the beat guard was reportedly found travelling along the same route in a personal vehicle, raising suspicion.
A mechanical cutter was also recovered during the operation, intensifying concerns over possible involvement or negligence. Following the incident, the guard was suspended and attached to the Divisional Forest Office in Bhadarwah pending a detailed inquiry.
These actions reflect a broader administrative push to ensure transparency, enforce discipline, and address lapses in governance across districts.