'I've taken this up in strongest terms': Omar Abdullah on IAS officer's viral video; assures no retributive action on woman JKAS officer
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has taken up the alleged misconduct of a senior IAS officer towards a junior JKAS officer with the chief secretary, saying the officer’s conduct was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior bureaucrat.
Abdullah also directed the chief secretary to ensure that the junior officer does not face any retaliatory action after a purported video of an online government meeting, in which the senior officer allegedly abused and threatened her, went viral on social media.
“I’ve seen the video of the online government meeting that is circulating on social media. Prima facie the conduct of the senior officer was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer & the subsequent threats issued to a junior JKAS officer only make matters worse,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
“I’ve taken this up in the strongest possible terms with the Chief Secretary. Unfortunately as a UT control over IAS officers rests with Lok Bhavan but as CM I’ve instructed the CS to ensure the JKAS officer faces no retributive action,” he added.
What happened during the online meeting?
A purported video of Kumar Rajeev Ranjan , administrative secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir government 's labour and employment department, allegedly abusing Beenish Wani, a JKAS officer posted as assistant director of employment in Ganderbal, has triggered a controversy, with political parties across the spectrum demanding action.
In the video, Ranjan appears to question Wani about her department's performance and the failure to meet targets.
Wani explains that she had written to the deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner after the district officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) said the targets could not be achieved and that officials would not cooperate.
Ranjan asks her to obtain the concerns in writing and says she should have informed him directly about the issue.
“Why do you need NRLM if others are doing the work? Do you only have to write letters and seek the medal? They are just a helping tool, not the main authority,” he is heard saying in the purported video.
Wani responds that NRLM was needed to assist them. Ranjan then tells her to “shut up”.
When Wani asks him to let her explain and questions why he is shouting, Ranjan allegedly responds, “You are bloody shit. I can always talk to you like this.”
Wani objects to being called “shit”. Ranjan then tells her to “get out” and asks for an order suspending her to be issued.
“To hell with you,” Wani replies.
Woman officer raises matter with higher authorities
Wani told reporters that the incident took place during a review meeting on Wednesday and that she had raised the matter with higher authorities.
The purported video has drawn criticism from political parties, including the ruling National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with demands for action against Ranjan over his alleged conduct towards the junior officer.
Abdullah's intervention has also brought the question of administrative control into focus.
The chief minister said control over IAS officers in the Union Territory rests with Lok Bhavan, but directed the chief secretary to ensure that Wani does not face any retaliatory action.
Abdullah also directed the chief secretary to ensure that the junior officer does not face any retaliatory action after a purported video of an online government meeting, in which the senior officer allegedly abused and threatened her, went viral on social media.
“I’ve seen the video of the online government meeting that is circulating on social media. Prima facie the conduct of the senior officer was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer & the subsequent threats issued to a junior JKAS officer only make matters worse,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
“I’ve taken this up in the strongest possible terms with the Chief Secretary. Unfortunately as a UT control over IAS officers rests with Lok Bhavan but as CM I’ve instructed the CS to ensure the JKAS officer faces no retributive action,” he added.
What happened during the online meeting?
A purported video of Kumar Rajeev Ranjan , administrative secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir government 's labour and employment department, allegedly abusing Beenish Wani, a JKAS officer posted as assistant director of employment in Ganderbal, has triggered a controversy, with political parties across the spectrum demanding action.
In the video, Ranjan appears to question Wani about her department's performance and the failure to meet targets.
Wani explains that she had written to the deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner after the district officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) said the targets could not be achieved and that officials would not cooperate.
Ranjan asks her to obtain the concerns in writing and says she should have informed him directly about the issue.
“Why do you need NRLM if others are doing the work? Do you only have to write letters and seek the medal? They are just a helping tool, not the main authority,” he is heard saying in the purported video.
Wani responds that NRLM was needed to assist them. Ranjan then tells her to “shut up”.
When Wani asks him to let her explain and questions why he is shouting, Ranjan allegedly responds, “You are bloody shit. I can always talk to you like this.”
Wani objects to being called “shit”. Ranjan then tells her to “get out” and asks for an order suspending her to be issued.
“To hell with you,” Wani replies.
Woman officer raises matter with higher authorities
Wani told reporters that the incident took place during a review meeting on Wednesday and that she had raised the matter with higher authorities.
The purported video has drawn criticism from political parties, including the ruling National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with demands for action against Ranjan over his alleged conduct towards the junior officer.
Abdullah's intervention has also brought the question of administrative control into focus.
The chief minister said control over IAS officers in the Union Territory rests with Lok Bhavan, but directed the chief secretary to ensure that Wani does not face any retaliatory action.
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