J&K govt removes Amarnath board CEO

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government today removed Shri Amarnath Shrine Board CEO Arun Kumar after an inquiry found him guilty of misconduct during a press conference last week.
Kumar, who was also principal secretary to the governor, will be replaced by senior IAS officer Bharat Bhushan Vyas, who is presently posted as Commissioner Secretary in Finance department.
The government has also decided to recall S L Bhat from central deputation and post him as Commissioner Secretary in place of Vyas.
Kumar was found guilty by a three-member committee formed by the state government of making irresponsible remarks and violating All India Service rules during a press conference about the controversy surrounding the diversion of 39.88 hectares of land to the SASB.
The committee comprised of Financial Commissioner Coordination S S Sahni, Principal Secretary Social Welfare R K Jerath and Commissioner-Secretary to government (general administration) Basharat Ahmad Dhar.
Based on the report of the committee, it was decided to immediately withdraw Arun Kumar from the Raj Bhavan and attach him to the general administration department.
A show cause notice is being issued to the officer to explain his position and further action as warranted under rules would be taken accordingly.