Arun Jasrotia
Jammu, (TDD) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a directive to keep in abeyance the appointment of Colonel Vikrant Prasher from the Indian Army as SSP (Training) and Special (Ops) in the Jammu and Kashmir Police. This order comes in response to a recent government appointment that apparently violated the Model Code of Conduct currently in force in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the letter isssued from the Secretariat of the Election Commission of India to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the Commission has observed that the Model Code of Conduct is in effect in the region due to the upcoming General Election to the Legislative Assembly in 2024. As such, there is a ban on the transfer of officers connected to the election process.
The ECI’s letter references a Government Order (No.444-Home of 2024 dated 27.09.2024) that appointed Colonel Vikrant Prasher, from the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, to a position in the J&K Police. Without delving into the rationale behind posting an Army officer to a civil position during the Model Code of Conduct period, the Commission has directed that this order be immediately kept in abeyance.
Furthermore, the Election Commission has demanded accountability for this action. The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir has been instructed to submit a compliance report by 11:00 am on October 1, 2024. This report must not only confirm that the appointment order has been suspended but also provide an explanation as to why such an order was issued without obtaining prior permission from the Election Commission.(TDD)
