SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged excess payment of ₹79.13 lakh in salary and allowances to a retired doctor, reportedly caused by an incorrect entry regarding his date of superannuation in official service records.
According to Government Order No. 600-JK(HME) of 2026, dated August 3, Dr Abdul Ghani Bhat, Retired Physician, continued to draw pay and allowances after his actual retirement date because his date of superannuation was recorded as February 28, 2018, instead of February 28, 2013.
The excess pay and allowances drawn during the period from March 1, 2013 to October 30, 2017 have been assessed at Rs 79,13,762, subject to final determination of liability, the Health and Medical Education Department said.
The department said the inquiry has been ordered to establish the circumstances that led to the incorrect recording of the date of superannuation, identify the officers or officials responsible for the lapse and recommend further action in accordance with law.
The committee will be headed by Suhail Hussain Tantray, Additional Secretary (Law), Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir. Aaliya Iftikhar, Chief Accounts Officer, and Ashiq Hussain, Assistant Accounts Officer, both from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, have been appointed as members.
The committee has been directed to examine all relevant records, provide an opportunity of being heard to all concerned and determine the circumstances that resulted in the continuation of the officer in service beyond his actual date of superannuation.
It will also examine any procedural or administrative lapses and fix responsibility wherever warranted. The committee has been asked to submit its report, along with specific findings and recommendations, to the Administrative Department within 30 days of the issuance of the order. -(KL)
