Monday, 24 JUNE 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In what is being seen as a step taken by the State government to check irregularities in the functioning of public servants, the chief town planner Shashi Mohan Srivastava has been removed from his post and attached to the administration till further orders. An office memo to this effect was issued by additional secretary Atar Singh on Sunday. According to sources, the decision has been taken on the directions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami after a preliminary probe into allegations of irregularities were found to carry substance.
Srivastava, a senior town and country planner working as the chief town planner in the Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority (UHUDA) was removed from his post with immediate effect on Sunday. Sources state that though the secretariat was closed, officials issued the order according to which he has been attached to the Housing department. The order further states that during the period of his attachment, senior town and country planner Shalu Thind will handle the tasks and responsibilities of the chief town planner. According to sources, it was alleged that Srivastava was involved in irregularities in matters related to execution of master plans and change of land use. A preliminary probe found reason for further action following which he was removed from his post. The chief minister is also reported to have ordered a detailed investigation in the matter. If sources are to be believed, more aspects and connections may be revealed as the investigation progresses.
It is pertinent to mention here that though both the State government and Central government have been stressing on planned development with focus on ensuring the quality of works, allegations have been levelled about these aspects being ignored in some of the works. The action ordered by Dhami is being seen as a clear signal to the public servants that even senior officials may face action if found guilty of irregularities.
