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| PSC falls headless, Shafi’s illustrious term ends today | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 26: Falling in line with many other institutions, including the State Accountability Commissioner, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission will go headless tomorrow afternoon as the incumbent Mohammad Shafi Pandit is retiring. The Government is yet to take a decision on his successor even as recruitment process for many services is on.
First ever Muslim IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammad Shafi Pandit was appointed as Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commissioner by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government on June 28, 2004. Pandit was then Financial Commissioner to the Government and Chairman of the Muslim Auqaf Trust. His stipulated five-year term completes tomorrow afternoon.
An alumni of the Aligarh Muslim University, Pandit was born in 1945 and he got into IAS in 1969. His contribution to the development process of J&K State, in various capacities, has been substantial. As Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, he, inter alia, formulated and implemented the Core Area Development Programme for urban renewal in Srinagar City. He is widely well-known for having mobilized a consumer resistance movement amongst the public against exploitation at the hands of a section of traders. As Finance Secretary of the State (1995-98) and (2000-2003), he implemented far-reaching reforms, in order to put the State on the path of sustainable progress and financial viability. These measures had been suggested by the Committee on Economic Reforms (Godbole Committee) of which he was the Member Secretary.
As Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Chemicals, Govt. of India from1977-1980, he was associated with a number of important policy changes relating to pricing and liberalization of import-export policy in the field of drugs. During his Second term as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India (1990-1995), he played a key role in formulating and implementing affirmative action programs for the vulnerable sections of society.
Was awarded the prestigious Hubert Humphrey Fellowship under the Fulbright Exchange Programme, which enabled him to undertake post-graduate study in Public Affairs in the US (1982-83). Also attended a course on Value Added Taxation at Harvard Law School (1998). Was awarded by the State Government, a Gold Medal for distinguished services in 1996.
Empanelled as a Secretary to Govt. of India in 2003. However, the State Government decided to retain his services in the State for revamping the newly taken over Muslim Auqaf Trust where he took a number of measures for making the Trust an effective instrument of socio-economic change.
Meanwhile, an impressive function to bid farewell Pandit was organised by International Youth Hostel Association, Gogji Bagh and the staff of J&KPSC at Srinagar today. Dr. S. N. Soba Rao and renowned Gandhian Nirmla Deshpandey were present among the dignitaries on the occasion.
Addressing the functioning, at Jammu and Kashmir, Public Service Commission the Secretary, J&K PSC, Mr. G.H. Tantray, highlighted the significant contributions made by the Chairman during his 05 years tenure in taking J&K PSC to new heights at the State as well as National level. The Secretary reiterated “The Commission cannot afford to rest on its laurels but has to keep working towards achieving higher level of efficiency and productivity combined with equity and, above, all, transparency. What is necessary for enhancing the credibility of the institution is that the Commission not only acts with fairness but is also seen as doing so”.
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