Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Bank has reportedly dismissed a senior employee, Chief Manager Sajad Ahmad Bazaz on Saturday for allegedly being a “threat to the security of the state”, reported PTI.
Bazaz was set to retire by the month-end. He also used to write columns on economic affairs and Greater Kashmir newspaper.
The managing director and chief executive officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Baldev Prakash, said in the dismissal order that it was not expedient to hold an inquiry into Bazaz’s conduct in the “interest of the security of the state”.
Sources said J&K Police’s intelligence wing had recommended Bazaz’s termination for columns he used to write in newspapers.
Former J&K CM, Mehbooba Mufti, criticized the LG administration’s actions, claiming that this incident is part of a larger trend of dismissing government employees without proper opportunity to defend themselves.
“This administration has normalised the practice of dismissing government employees on the allegations of being a security threat,” she posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“The accused isn’t given a chance to prove his innocence with the government acting as judge and jury. This hooliganism is meant to frighten Kashmiris into submission,” reads the post.
Reportedly, dozens of govt employees have been terminated under Article 311(2)(C) [authority can dismiss public servants without conducting an inquiry, as long as the president or governor deems it unnecessary for the sake of state security] of the Constitution.
The exercise was started by LG Sinha In 2021.
