By Muslim Mirror Staff

Ashok Parmar, an Indian Administrative Services officer holding the rank of principal secretary, has accused the Union Territory administration of terminating his employment in response to his concerns regarding irregularities in a critical drinking water scheme.

Opposition leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have rallied behind Parmar, demanding a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged misconduct.

The controversy stems from Parmar’s role as the Principal Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Jal Shakti Department, a position he assumed in May 2022. During his tenure, he brought attention to what he believed to be sluggish implementation of the Jaljeon Mission drinking water scheme, which aimed to provide essential clean water access to the region’s populace.

Parmar’s complaint centers on what he claims were misinterpretations of a contractual clause pertaining to the allotment of works for the scheme. He alleged that contractors were taking advantage of an ambiguous clause allowing them to award only two works at a time, resulting in potential malpractice and inefficiencies.

Parmar’s allegations include an incident on June 6, 2022, during which he alleges that he was forcibly removed from a meeting by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Parmar contends that this action was an attempt to harass him without any valid grounds, further exacerbating the hostilities surrounding his efforts to uncover irregularities.

This series of events has caught the attention of opposition leaders in the region, who are now calling for a thorough inquiry into Parmar’s claims. They argue that the alleged wrongful termination of a government official attempting to bring transparency to a vital public initiative raises serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to accountability and integrity.

In response to these allegations, Ashok Parmar has lodged an official complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, emphasizing the potential discriminatory nature of his treatment as a Dalit official. The complaint sheds light on Parmar’s tumultuous professional journey over the past year, marked by five transfers.

“I was allegedly expelled from the meeting room on June 6, 2022, by [Lieutenant Governor] Manoj Sinha, in what I claim was an attempt to unjustly subject me to harassment,” he stated.