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| No summer secretariat this season | | Govt's 'gift' for Jammu; people to fend for themselves | | Hyder Ali
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 30: With the closure of Durbar move offices in the winter capital on Friday, people of Jammu may have to face tough days ahead as the government is planning to abandon operations of the special summer secretariat in the hot region for the coming six months.
The government decision to leave Jammu void any summer secretariat will literally leave the people to fend for themselves during the scorching conditions when public woes worsen, more so with regard to civic issues like Bjili, Sadak and Paani.
As per the tradition, the summer secretariat would maintain a roaster for the ministers, who would ensure their presence to mitigate sufferings of the people when the government seat is in Srinagar. Officials said orders for operations of the special secretariat used to be issued before the closure of the move offices. "But this time no such orders have been issued till now," confirmed a senior official in the General Administrative Department, asking not to be named.
It is for the first time in the past over a decade that Jammu might be left high and dry by a coalition government.
"People of Jammu are being neglected. They will have to wait till any minister bothers to visit the hot region," said a group of officials adding this was discrimination with the region.
The officials said the people face multiple problems during summers while poor power supply remains the first causality. "Otherwise also there arise lack of accountability in the government offices when Durbar moves to Srinagar while pace of work on development projects remains equally affected," the official explained.
What started as an emergency measure during 90s when the State was under Governor's Rule, the concept of special winter and summer secretariats gradually turned into a platform for people to approach the authorities for redressal of grievances.
The practice got a fresh lease of life during the regime of then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's who decided to keep his private office open even after Durbar move for "effective response to the grievances and hardships faced by the people."
As per the plan, the summer secretariat in Jammu used to be staffed with one officer of Special Secretary/ Additional Secretary-level, Two Deputy Secretaries/Under Secretaries and other subordinate staff. Besides, one minister would be available in the Secretariat on rotational basis to review availability of essential commodities in the region.
The special secretariat in Jammu used to hold such importance that following reopening of offices in Srinagar, an impressive event would be held in the winter capital. "As per the tradition, it was mostly the Deputy Chief Minister, who would often throw open the office to give a feel to the people that government was with them in all seasons," the officials said.
But the tradition is feared to change this time. A top officer told Early Times that the government was "confused" over keeping the Jammu secretariat operational this season. "Basically last winter there was confusion over keeping winter Secretariat open in Srinagar, so government doesn't want any controversy over the issue. But yes ministers will keep coming to Jammu to take stock of situation from time-to-time," the official said.
"Last year there was some delay in keeping winter secretariat open in Srinagar but subsequently it could not be opened as the then Chief Minister passed away," the official said. |
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