Jammu: A Jammu and Kashmir government employee has been suspended, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him for his dismissal from service for allegedly accepting a bribe for issuing an income certificate to a villager, officials said.
The action was taken after a citizen approached the deputy commissioner’s office with a complaint that he had to pay money to obtain his income certificate, officials said.
“A citizen came to the DC Office yesterday with one line. I had to pay to get my income certificate. We verified it. The complaint was prima facie true. The official concerned has been suspended. The proceedings to dismiss the official from service have been initiated,” the district magistrate said on X.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas ordered the immediate suspension of Amit Kumar, a multi-tasking staff (MTS), posted in the R S Pura tehsil and currently deployed at Suchetgarh.
According to the order, Kumar has been placed under suspension pending inquiry and attached with the office of the assistant commissioner (general), deputy commissioner’s office, Jammu, during the suspension period.
In a message to the public, Minhas said revenue services such as income certificates, domicile certificates, ration cards, fard and other revenue documents are citizens’ entitlements and no government official is authorised to demand money for providing such legal services.
“Anyone asking for money is stealing from you,” the deputy commissioner said, urging people to report any instance of bribery.
He assured citizens that complaints would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.
“Complain, and you will be heard. Your name stays anonymous. The action will be public. Do not pay. Do not adjust. Do not let it go. One complaint moved an entire system yesterday. Yours can too,” Minhas said.
