Early Times Report
Jammu, June 30: While as poor daily wagers, contractual and need-based workers engaged in different departments are agitating to get their salaries, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has reportedly provided lakhs of rupees from the exchequer to a private firm just to get publicity.
Shockingly, this private firm has been hired for drafting and disseminating official press releases even though the Union Territory has a full-fledged Information and Public Relations Departments.
Highly placed sources said that this private PR firm has been hired only to provide undue benefits to some non-locals.
“This PR firm started work in September 2020 and a formal work order was issued in December 2020”, a source said and revealed that lakhs of rupees from J&K’s exchequer have already been given to this firm. Important to mention here that employees of the J&K Information and Public Re > Daily wagers, contractual, need-based workers struggle to get remuneration, outsiders make quick bucks
> DIPR sidelined despite having incredible track record
“When terrorism was on its peak, most of the departments were closed due to threats of terrorists, it was J&K Information Department which was functioning to counter vicious propaganda from across the border”, sources said, and regretted that instead of utilizing the experience of the department, a private firm has been hired just to benefit some individuals.
On the one hand, the J&K government is repeatedly asking for austerity measures while on the other hand, undue financial benefits are being given to some individuals in the name of publicity. An official of DIPR said, “We have got sufficient staff to handle any assignment.”
He expressed ignorance about any private firm being hired for publicity. “I have no knowledge about it.” | 