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| Mayor invisible, Deputy Mayor enjoying foreign trip, Srinagarities suffer | | Imran asks people to stay indoors, triggers another controversy | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 7: As Mayor is invisible and Deputy Mayor is in abroad, their tussle is taking a heavy toll on residents of Srinagar.
This could be gauged that snowfall threw life out of gear on Thursday while Deputy Mayor was enjoying abroad while Mayor was not visible on the ground.
Since Junaid Azim Mattu and Sheikh Imran took over Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of the SMC, the two have never been on the same page.
"Several files related to developmental works are pending. Drainage schemes have also been affected due to non-releasing of funds to contractors. Nobody seems to be bothered to ask contractors for immediate completion of schemes," an official said.
The tussle between the Mayor and his deputy is also hampering employees' welfare. The unwanted delay in the promotions of class IV employees is a good example of that.
"Our class IV employees were to be promoted in 2018. But no such formal order has been issued yet as Mayor and Deputy Mayor are busy in their own 'cat dog fight'," the official said.
To make them heard and to get their demands fulfilled, the SMC employees are on strikes resulting snow was not cleared from roads on Thursday.
"We raised the complaint to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Commissioner, but our problems remain unresolved," the official added.
Deputy Mayor SMC Sheikh Imran said in a statement, "I was out of country and reached Delhi, but due to cancellation of flights I am stuck here. I have directed the concerned departments to expedite the process of snow clearance and water logging in war footing basis."
The snowfall on Thursday disrupted vehicular traffic. Even the roads leading to hospitals remained under snow.
The problem also compounded due to strike by Srinagar Municipal Corporation employees who seek redress of their issues. "The government could not put into services all snow clearing machines due to employees strike. The government has failed to address issues of employees due to ongoing tussle between Mayor and Deputy Mayor," an official of SMC said.
Stay indoors: Imran to people
Having reportedly been outside the country, the deputy mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Sheikh Imran has advised the people of Kashmir to stay inside their homes and enjoy the warmth than move out, drawing flak from the people.
In a video shared on social media, the Deputy Mayor told the people not to move around but stay at their respective homes as it as snowing. He also asked the students not to attend their tuition classes but to stay indoors at home as snow on roads could create troubles.
Yet again that Sheikh Imran has triggered a controversy for his remarks on social media.
The people said snowfall was not something that stops their life.
The people said "his video message was a joke." "Listen to the video… Instead of getting the roads cleared himself, he is asking the people to sit at their homes. This is really pathetic," said a shopkeeper.
The SMC officials said such posts were creating problems for them as people end up criticizing the civic body.
"These people (corporators) post such content on social media that attracts more and more of criticism and as a result our job becomes difficult on the ground," said the SMC official on the condition of anonymity.
Despite repeated attempts the Dy Mayor couldn't be contacted for comments.
But a SMC official said that Deputy Mayor is out of station and so he doesn't know much about the ground situation.
"Basically he(Imran) is speaking out of his love for people of Kashmir. It should be taken in positive spirit," the official said. |
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