Jammu, Oct 18: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has temporarily restrained the Centre and the state government from conferring IAS on officers of the state cadre from a panel prepared for the purpose. Justice R C Ghandi directed the Centre, state government and others not to act upon the panel till the next date of hearing on a petition filed by Kathua Deputy Commissioner B S Sharma alleging that his claims were not properly considered while preparing the panel. Petitioner's counsel K K Pangotra submitted that respondents have prepared a panel for induction to IAS cadre but the claims of the petitioner have not been properly considered vis-a-vis empanelled officers and as such the seniority, suitability and outstanding service record of the petitioner have been ignored. The court issued notice to respondents returnable within four weeks. This direction shall, however, be subject to objections from the other side, the order said.

In the writ petition, it has been submitted that on the basis of superior merit, ability and outstanding records of service, the petitioner was promoted to the special grade of KAS and the general administration department of the state government placed him in consideration zone for promotion to the super-time scale. The petitioner said he stands at serial number 16 in the seniority list of the special scale of KAS officers released by the government, whereas three other officers after serial number 20 were being considered for induction in the panel to IAS cadre.

Bureau Report