Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Apr 4: To strengthen municipalities, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday deputed two KAS officers to look after the two Municipal Councils in Kashmir division. The General Administration Department in this regard issued an order No. 443-JK (GAD) of 2020, dated 03-04-2020 on Friday. According to the order, Samir Ahmad Jan, KAS Deputy District Election Officer, Baramulla has been assigned the additional charge of Municipal Council Sopore while as Syed Yasir Farooq, Assistant Commissioner Revenue has been assigned that charge of Municipal Council Anantnag.
Earlier the Housing and Urban Development Department vide letter No. HUD/LSG/ULBJK/166/2018 dated 28-03-2020 had written to General Administration Department and requested to KAS officers be deployed and posted in newly notified Municipal Councils.
Important to mention here, Early Times, had published a detailed report and highlighted the fact that at least thirteen municipalities were without Executive Officers during COVID-19 outbreak crisis. “During this lockdown it has became too difficult for these officers to attend each Municipality and plan measures for fighting COVID-19 or to ensure cleanliness,” ULBK officials had told Early Times.
Additional charge syndrome is not only affecting the work culture but also adversely affecting Government’s fight against Corona Virus, the officials at remarked.
“Executive Officer of one Municipal Committee has been given additional charge of two other municipalities. How can one officer run three municipalities during this crisis when the whole country in under lockdown and movement of individuals is being restricted,” they added.
A group of officers told Early Times that municipalities across Kashmir division are supposed to play crucial role and they must strengthened. “Municipalities have to play important role play at this juncture. Government must deploy competent officers, provide funds and safety gears to frontline workers of municipalities but sadly enough isn’t being done,” they said.
However, an officer at GAD told Early Times in coming days more officers will be posted in newly upgraded municipalities. “More KAS officers will be posted once the Urban Local Bodies Department notifies the newly upgraded municipalities,” he said. |
