Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 24: National Conference (NC) additional general secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has cautioned the Lieutenant Governor’s administration against policies that, he said, discriminate between civil service cadres in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, Sadhotra criticized the “growing tendency” of sidelining Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers while placing Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in all crucial decision-making posts. He warned that such an approach would not only demoralize local officers but also erode the overall efficiency of the administration.
Highlighting the role of JKAS officers, the NC leader said they have served as the backbone of governance in the region for decades. “Having risen from the grassroots, they possess invaluable knowledge of ground realities and enjoy a strong rapport with the people across regions,” he noted. Ignoring this cadre, he argued, would amount to weakening the administrative structure that has historically depended on both IAS and JKAS officers working together with due regard to hierarchy and discipline.
Sadhotra cautioned that pampering one service while neglecting the other could create avoidable divisions in the bureaucracy. “A divided and demotivated administration can never deliver its best in implementing policies or addressing people’s grievances,” he said.
He underlined the need for equality and fair play, stressing that those at the helm must ensure harmony and confidence among all wings of governance. Only a balanced and motivated bureaucracy, he said, can effectively meet the developmental aspirations of the people of J&K.
Calling for immediate course correction, the NC leader urged the administration to provide a level playing field to both IAS and JKAS officers. He said the interests of the public should remain paramount, which can only be achieved by treating all cadres with fairness, dignity and respect.
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