The Uttarakhand government on Saturday removed Uttarkashi District Magistrate R. Rajesh Kumar following complaints of irregularities in distribution of relief material to the victims of last month’s landslips. He was replaced by Pankaj Kumar Pandey.
The action came a day after residents made vociferous complaints against Mr. Kumar to Saket, son of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
The residents charged Mr. Kumar with failing to utilise funds received in March for making protection walls and embankments along the Bhagirathi to protect the town and nearby localities from flood.
The residents had gheraoed Mr. Kumar for hours on Wednesday for not ordering protection measures along the Bhagirathi even after the town was damaged in the flash floods.
Pushed into action, Mr. Kumar started the work of building embankments and other protection structures in three sensitive zones with the help of about 600 civil police, ITBP personnel and students on Thursday.
A Deputy Treasury Officer in Uttarkashi district was suspended for allegedly misusing relief material.
