RAKSHANDA BHAT
Srinagar, JULY 31(KNB): Without taking into consideration his justification or proper investigation, Dr. A.G Ahanger, Former director of SKIMS, in an archetype of unjust, was victimized for none of his faults,and sacked of his post while the case was under stay from the Hon’ble High Court.
Dr. Ahanger was appointed as the Director of SKIMS on July 11, 2016, for a term of five years that was supposed to end in July 2021 but just after a year and a half a government order was released against him vide Govt Order No 45-GAD dated 6 January 2018 relieving him of his position as a director.
According to reports, on 13th January 2019, the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti entrusted top political leaders to “Coerce” with him for accepting another Higher Position of “Secretary (Coordination) Health and Medical Education, to look after seven institutions (five new medical colleges and two AIIMS at Awantipora and Vijaypore) but he could not take up this bureaucratic job since he was neither an IAS nor a KAS Officer and had no experience in this field to severe as Secretary in the state.
Ahangar said that out of “ Vengeance”, Mehbooba Mufti ordered for his “ Suspension “ and accordingly Charge Sheet was issued against him , despite no records could establish any charges against him as per the inquiry report.
Dr. Ahanger clarified his reasons for not accepting the proposal and went for contempt proceedings and he said on 23rd January he was called by a top politician who threatened him.
Pertinently, a charge sheet was issued against him and along with it an inquiry officer was appointed for 2 months while the presenting officer could not produce records and requested for an extension of a month and again for a month later.
“The officer was given enough time, the inquiry has been completed, and then why this process is not concluded is not known.
The report has been submitted on 18 June 2019, and the final call is to be made by the Hon’ble Governor.
A local employee of SKIMS said, “Dr. Ahanger’s contribution has been immense since he joined, he completed fifteen projects in a single year.”
He further said, “Along with having a meritorious and a Distinguished Career at National Level he has served the people with utmost humbleness and sense of responsibility.”
While talking to Kashmir News Bureau Dr. Ahanger said, to reimburse his loss, “a new department was created for me.”
Discussing the emotional turmoil he is going through from past one and a half year, he feels “humiliated, disrespected”. “Since I have been removed the social stigma that has been associated with it is bothersome. I am simply asking for my right”, he added.
Dr. Ahanger recalls, “I have served for more than thirty years because of my hard work, my merit, my qualification.” and it cannot be for anything else.
“People are watching, the people who protested for me are the ones from whom I derive strength. My skilled hands have served them, the state, the nation and beyond.”
After being caught up the vicious cycle of reclaiming his position of the Director Dr. Ahanger said, “I expect the Hon’ble Governor to take a call and see the performance, characteristics of both the interim director and the removed director. My conscience has always reminded me to serve the public through my profession, not through the bureaucratic job.”
On being asked about his breaking point while legally fighting with the system, with a sparkle in his eyes Dr. Ahanger reclaimed, “I am solid as steel, who doesn’t break . I change people, I don’t run away.”
However, according to the report submitted by General Administration Department (GAD) Dr. Ahanger has been proven innocent and what is being done for concluding the proceedings and justice is being awaited rather than denied or delayed . (KNB)