LG urged to take action against ‘erring’ officers
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 14: Upset over the absence of senior bureaucrats in the scheduled developmental meeting, Members of District Development Council (DDC) Jammu along with the MLAs boycotted the crucial meet and complained to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha seeking action against the erring officers.
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The meeting, scheduled at 2:30 PM at PWD Guest House, Gandhi Nagar, was called to review the progress of ongoing works under Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Shakti Department in Jammu district.
The meeting, chaired by Bharat Bhushan and attended by the DDC Members besides some MLAs, was convened to hold discussions with the District Development Commissioner Jammu, Mission Director Jal Jeevan Mission (J&K), and the Chief Engineer of Jal Shakti Department (PHE), Jammu.
However, none of these senior officers were present at the venue, leaving only subordinate officials to represent the concerned departments.
Taking serious cognizance of the absence of senior officers, all the DDC members and MLAs unanimously decided to boycott the proposed meeting and left the venue without any discussion.
Besides boycotting the meet, DDC Chairman, Bharat Bhushan has forwarded a written complaint to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha urging him to initiate immediate action against the officers for their non-cooperation and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
“The absence of higher officials reflects disregard for democratic institutions and elected representatives. Such non-cooperation undermines the seriousness of developmental priorities and hinders discussions on issues directly impacting the public,” he told the Excelsior.
As per the details, mentioned by DDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan in his written complaint to the Lt Governor, District Development Commissioner Jammu , vide letter no. C-DDC/2024-25/153, dated 09.12.2024 was requested to convene a meeting of Jal Shakti Deptt (PHE) to review the progress of on-going works/projects taken up under Jal Jeevan Mission in District Jammu along with the Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of District Development Council District, Jammu.
Accordingly, DDC Jammu informed all the concerned vide no. DDC/CPO/2024-25/8136-43 and 8144-54 dated 11.12.2024 regarding the fixation of meeting on 14.12.2024 at 2.30 PM at PWD Guest house, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
As per the schedule, DDC Chairman along with MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta, MLA Gandhi Nagar Vikram Randhawa, MLA Suchetgarh, Gharu Ram Bhagat and the DDC Members reached at the venue of meeting.
Shockingly, the elected public representatives found that neither of the DDC Jammu, Mission Director Jal Jeevan Mission J&K and Chief Engineer of Jal Shakti Deptt (PHE) Jammu bothered to attend the said meeting.
Only Superintending Engineer and below ranking officers of the Jal Shakti Deptt, Additional District Development Commissioner, Jammu and Chief Planning Officer, Jammu had reached at the venue.
Upon this, all the elected representatives who had reached at the venue raised the issue in one voice and expressed their strong resentment over the non- availability of the higher officers with whom they were scheduled to discuss some important issues. Expressing disappointment over the lack of accountability displayed by the senior officers, all the DDC Members and MLAs boycotted the proposed meeting and left the venue without any discussion.
Narrating the entire episode and sentiments of the elected representatives, Bharat Bhushan has requested the Lt Governor to take action against these officers for the non cooperation in the matter. He has sought intervention of the LG to ensure that such incidents do not recur in near future.
Copies of the complaint have also been forwarded to the Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana and Chief Secretary, Atal Duloo.
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