Srinagar, Nov 16 (KNS): With the highest seat of power, civil secretariat, having moved to the Jammu region for next six months, a large number of officials have preferred to stay away from their offices here, while some of them have flown to Jammu. Hilal Ahmad, a resident of the Kupwara has been trying for the last three days to meet the Director School Education Kashmir, but found him missing from the office.
“From last six days I many times visited his office but every time the officials told me that he is not available,” he said. As per rules, no government official could stay off from duty for three days in a row without a solid reason, but the government officials remain absent for weeks together. On Monday when KNS correspondent visited a number of such offices in Srinagar they were deserted. “MD Sahab Jammu main hain (the officer is in Jammu),” said an officials of SICOP. Similarly, when this correspondent visited the office of the Managing Director Arts and Emporium it was locked. The officials said, “Sir has not come here for several days”. A top government official said that work in the departments involving public dealing has come to a grinding halt.
Though lower ranking officials reach the offices but are not able to work in absence of the in-charges. Sources informed that some low ranking officials prefer to go on leave or not attend offices as they are unable to bear the enormous pressure and work load without the higher officials.
Common people have expressed displeasure over the functioning of government offices. People alleged that the government officers receive their salaries and other benefits, but they do not perform their duty in a proper way in the valley. Mohmmad Afzal of Baramulla said he had been visiting the VC Srinagar Development Authority for the last few days, but every time he could not find him in the office. People have appealed the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to emphasize officers to perform their duty in a proper way.