CAT pulls up officials for ignoring orders, warns of legal action
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is under fire for failing to comply with a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order regarding long-pending promotions. The tribunal has initiated contempt proceedings against the department’s top officials for repeatedly delaying the implementation of its 2023 judgment.
The case, filed by Bilal Ahmad Mir against Sanjeev Varma and others, stems from the department’s failure to promote eligible officers as per recruitment rules. The tribunal had earlier ruled on November 23, 2023, directing the government to address the issue. However, despite multiple extensions granted for compliance, the department has not taken concrete steps, forcing the petitioner to file a contempt petition.
During a series of hearings, the government’s counsel repeatedly sought more time to file compliance reports. On multiple occasions—from April to October 2024—the tribunal extended deadlines, even directing the Secretary of the J&K Tourism Department to appear in person. However, neither the required report was submitted nor did the Secretary comply with the summons.
In the latest hearing on February 10, 2025, the department finally submitted a compliance report, signed by Under Secretary Arshad Hussain Bhat. The report claimed that the department was in the process of implementing the tribunal’s directions and that the delays were not intentional but due to “uncontrollable circumstances.” However, the petitioner’s counsel, Mir Suhail, strongly objected, arguing that an Under Secretary was not legally authorized to file compliance in contempt cases.
Expressing dissatisfaction, the tribunal ordered the respondents to submit a fresh compliance report and warned that failure to do so would lead to legal consequences against the contemnors. The case has now been listed for the next hearing on April 3, 2025.
The ongoing legal battle has intensified concerns over administrative inefficiencies within the Tourism Department, with senior officials and departmental candidates growing increasingly frustrated over career stagnation caused by delayed promotions.
