‘We are always here to meet people and resolve their problems, say ministers
Jammu, Jan 14 : People visiting the civil secretariat here complained that ministers hardly attend their offices and majority among them stay out of their offices on one pretext or the other.
The visitors alleged that most of the Ministers during public meet hours remain busy with MLAs and their relatives inside their chambers, leaving commoners to suffer. “I came here to meet forest Minister, but the peon outside his chamber did not allow me to meet him,” Tahira who had come here from Srinagar to meet the minister said.
One of the visitors alleged that he had visited the Secretariat on many occasions to meet industries and commerce minister but could not find him in the office. “It seems you have to be a party worker to get the appointment,” Rayees Ahmad of Baramullah said.
Common people have to undergo three tier security check before entering into the Secretariat.
“Despite getting frisked and checked visitors find it hard to meet the people whom they voted to power. Isn’t it unfortunate?” asked a visitor.
“If they don’t want to meet the common people in Secretariat they should declare it out of bounds for common people,” he added.
People alleged that though, the Government had claimed that the Civil Secretariat will remain open for the general public after 1 pm but it has been observed that most of the ministers lock their offices citing busy schedule.
“I came here to meet one of the minister, but the officials asked me that “Sahab yaha nai hai (minister is not here),”Imran Ahmad of Srinagar told this Jammu, KNS correspondent.
Visitors also alleged that the security personnel manning the Civil Secretariat apply pick and choose policy by allowing the influential people before the 1 pm.
The visitors even alleged that it is impossible to meet the Commissioner Secretaries and other officials in the Civil Secretariat. “Unending meeting continues till visitors are forced to leave. Even if they wait endlessly the visiting hours get over by then and officials tell to come next day,” one of the visitors who had come here to meet Commissioner Secretary said.
Majority of the ministers said that despite attending the budget session, they make every effort to remain available in the civil secretariat. “We are always here to attend the public grievances. But yes if any minister happens not to be present in the secretariat, it could be that he is busy in attending the budget session in the assembly,” this was the response from majority of the ministers when contacted by KNS.
(KNS)