AVINASH AZAD
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 28: Defeating government’s purpose to get the life back on track thrown out of gear due to countrywide lockdown due to deadly COVID-19, the majority of the staff of Directorate of Rural Development Department (RDD) Jammu, despite government order for opening offices, prefers to stay at home.
The Government on April 17, 2020 had directed the officers of the level of Under Secretary and above shall regularly attend offices from 20th of April, 2020, but most of the staff is absent from the directorate of RDD Jammu on the pretext of lockdown and ‘Red Zones’.
“The RDD can play a major role to spread awareness for the COVID-19 in Rural areas, as well as the services of concerned block development officers (BDOs) in their respective block can be utilized as magistrate”, a senior Police officer told Early Times, adding that several government departments leading the fight against COVID-19 and at the same time media persons and some social activists are also doing commendable job, but why an important department is escaping its job that too after government’s order.
“I put the matter before District Magistrate Jammu seeking deployment of the BDOs in their respective blocks and also advised that job of magistrate be assigned to them in their concerned area”, the officer said, adding that however response from the DM is awaited yet.
“At present, most of staff at directorate of Rural Development Jammu is not attending offices, when government has made it mandatory for the all the officers at the level of Under Secretary and above to regularly attend the offices, why these officers are defying”, said an activist of an NGO serving ration to people in outskirt of Jammu city since first day when countrywide lockdown was announced from 25 of March, 2020.
“The Prime Minister time and again has appealed all the states and UTs to spread awareness among the masses about COVID-19, which is the only option we have to prevent spread COVID-19 by making the people aware”, officer said adding that since the day when the lockdown was announced by the PM Modi, the JKP remained the first responder in any condition. “If the JKP can stand on ‘Nakkas’, doctors can perform their duties in hospitals, then, why the Block development officers and staff can’t do their field work which they are supposed to do. The RDD is supposed to implement the government schemes and programs by spreading required information and awareness among the rural masses and this is the most demanding time for them to do their job and aware the people regarding COVID-19 but they seems to be sitting at home by making excuses of being in Red Zones,” he further added.
“Apart from doing its job to maintain law and order in their respective areas/jurisdictions Police is also providing ration and other assistances to the needy peoples. It is very unfortunate that an important department is missing in the time of need which has increase the burden of JKP multifold”, they said adding that distributing rations clearly falls under the domain of RDD and it is feasible for them to do this work and they should resume their respective jobs.
Director RDD Jammu, Sudershan Kumar when contacted said that the directorate is not functioning as it fall under red-zone. “Despite movement passes issued by the DM, Police is not allowing the staff to reach offices”, he added.
Secretary Rural Development & Panchyati Raj J&K Government, Sheetal Nanda could not be contacted for her comment. |
