J&K: Action initiated against three officials over roofless polling station
Authorities in Rajouri district initiated action against three officials after some pictures of a school building without a roof, which served as a polling station for the 7th phase of Panchayat elections in a remote village, went viral on social media, officials said today. The 7th phase of polling was held across 12 districts yesterday, including Rajouri, and witnessed a turnout of 75.3%.
Photos of the roofless building grabbed attention on social media
The polling station, which was set up at a government primary school at mountainous Keri-Kotecharwal village in Khawas block, came under the spotlight when some photographs showing the dilapidated condition of the building started circulating, attracting criticism from netizens. The polling staff and security personnel, deputed in the village for duty, looked astonished in the pictures while standing in front of the roofless building.
District Development Commissioner ordered a probe into the case
This comes as a major embarrassment for the administration. Officials said District Development Commissioner (Rajouri) Mohammad Aijaz Asad took serious cognizance of negligence on the part of the officials concerned and ordered an inquiry, which would be conducted by the assistant commissioner of development, who was asked to submit his report within a period of one week. Notably, Rajouri recorded an impressive 84% voting.
Workers placed under suspension, salary of BDO withheld
A village-level worker (VLW) and a Gram Rozgar Sahayak (GRS) were placed under suspension, while the salary of a block development officer (BDO) was ordered to be withheld, the officials said. The VLW, GRS and BDO were assigned the job of physical verification of the polling stations in their block for smooth conduct of the polls, which they didn't fulfill, drawing ire, officials added.
Apparently BDOs didn't review basic facilities at polling stations: Officials
"All BDOs have been directed to conduct physical verification of all the polling stations. It seems that BDO of Khawas, VLW and GRS did not physically inspect the polling station and did not review the infrastructure or basic minimum facilities there," the officials said.
BDO has to submit explanation over the accusations against him
"In view of this, the VLW and GRS are hereby placed under suspension. Further, salary of the Khawas BDO will remain withheld till further orders. He shall submit an explanation as to why disciplinary proceedings shouldn't be initiated against him," they said. The officials added adequate arrangements for boarding and lodging for the polling staff and the security personnel were made as per norms.
District development commissioner ordered immediate repair of building
"Where there is the possibility, the arrangements are being made within the polling station but when there is no such possibility, the polling staff is provided boarding and lodging near the polling station," the officials said, adding that the election staff and the security personnel faced no problems during the polling. They said the district development commissioner ordered immediate repair of the building.
Netizens questioned J&K government over Center's fund spending
Reacting to the pictures, the netizens criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government for the dilapidated condition of the school and raised questions over the spending of funds pumped by the Center under various schemes to ensure better infrastructure for the students.
