“Telescopic damages were charged at the rate of 50 times of the License Fee during the period between 06-02-2022 to 19-05-2022”
K Koushal
In an apparent exploitation of official position, a senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer from Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly settled a rent for the retention of government accommodation illegally from discretionary grants.
According to an RTI reply, former Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and 1988 batch IAS officer, Arun Kumar Mehta has reportedly paid Rs 2,92953 as telescopic damages for retention of government building beyond the permissible period.
“Telescopic damages were charged at the rate of 50 times of the License Fee during the period between 06-02-2022 to 19-05-2022 and paid Rs 2,92953 by the officer on 27-01-2023 through online mode” reads the RTI reply, adding Mr. Mehta was residing in DII-65 Shahjahan road, New Delhi and the said accommodation was allotted on 29-12-2010.
In this regard another senior IAS officer (name withheld) has also written a representation to Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, stating that General Administration Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir had ‘illegally’ sanctioned the payment of Rs 2, 92953 as penal charges (telescopic charges) which was worked out by Directorate of Estates.
“General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu and Kashmir had sanctioned the payment of Rs 2,92953 as penal charges for the period from 02-02-2022 to 06-05-2022 out of Detailed Head:- 185 Discretionary Grant, below Sub Head: 0518-General Administration Department, subordinate to Major Head: 2052-SGS,” reads the representation, adding that Discretionary Grant cannot be used to settle provisional rent for retention of house at New Delhi by government officer as per Discretionary Grant rules.
However, in response to the RTI, Ministry of Housing and Urban, Government of India, Directorate of Estates has claimed that Discretionary Grants are available at the disposal of Chief Secretary.
Meanwhile, another senior IAS officer, wishing anonymity shared that disbursement from Discretionary Grant cannot be misused for personal liabilities. He shared Discretionary Grant can be used for the purpose of giving relief to persons who have served the nation in the social, political, philanthropic and other fields, and are in need of special assistance. He said the misuse of discretionary grants for personal expenses is a breach of established rules and guidelines.
“Discretionary Grant is also meant to provide relief to the families of the persons who have served the nation. It is meant for giving gifts to representatives of schedule caste and schedule tribes,” said IAS officer, adding that the amount of relief or reward or subvention or gifts given to an individual shall not exceed Rs 25000 during the financial year.
Despite repeated attempts, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, (GAD), Sanjeev Verma and Ex-Chief Secretary, Arun Mehta could not be contacted.
