Against sanctioned strength of 4900 in Kashmir, Jammu has just 980

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 10: It may sound incredible but it is true that against the strength of nearly 4500 employees in the CAPD department working in Kashmir province, hardly 613 are running the affairs of the department  in Jammu province.
Making startling revelations highly placed sources in the CAPD department told the “Excelsior” that against the sanctioned strength of 4900 employees in the CAPD department in Kashmir, just  980  is the sanctioned  strength of employees including Gazetted, Non-Gazetted and Class- IV in Jammu region, despite the fact that Kashmir region’s  area is equivalent  to erstwhile Doda district of Jammu region.
This glaring example of discrimination within the department has exposed the system and the people at the helm of affairs, who never bothered to do justice with the other region and allowed the people to suffer in view of poor delivery of essential services for decades.  The CAPD supplies in many area like Kishtwar,  Chhatroo, Paddar, Wadwan, Doda, Bhalessa, Rajouri, Budhal, Khwas,  Mahore, Gulabgarh, Chassana, Dudu- Basantgarh, Pancheri-Ladhar,  Bani, Lohai – Malhar, Machhedi  etc in Jammu province could not be streamlined since independence because no sincere efforts were made  by the concerned Ministers  and  bureaucrats  during past several decades.  They failed to maintain the balancing act.
Even after the  creation of new administrative units about two years back, including  formation of new Tehsils like  Marheen, Dinga Amb, Ramkot, Lohai Malhar, Machhedi, Rajpura in Kathua; Doongi-Garati, Beri Pattan, Qila Darhal,  Khawas, Siot, Ladoka, Manjakote, Mogla etc in Rajouri  and other districts and Sub Divisions, no new infrastructure was developed by the department or much needed staff appointed there. Total 77 new Tehsils were created  in Jammu province and 56 in Kashmir but new TSOs and other staff was not appointed till date. New units were  allowed to function through the old existing system within the department.
Sources in the CAPD Department further disclosed that in Jammu province, the department is reeling under the shortage of  40 to 45 % staff. Even some TSOs, inspectors,  storekeepers,  supervisors etc are holding two to three additional charges, to run the show.  In Kashmir region, there is excess staff in  many CAPD offices. Due to shortage of staff especially in rural and far flung areas of Jammu, the general public is suffering badly. The shortage of supervisory staff has also given rise to the pilferage  of ration and scandals in the CAPD department during last few decades, which otherwise, needs overhauling and restructuring.  Even the computerisation of  the record  and installing GPS system in the trucks as per claims of the top officers, nothing has been done so far in this direction.
Sources disclosed that many posts of Gazetted, Non-Gazetted and Class-IV cadre, are lying vacant in Jammu region.  About a dozen Gazetted cadre posts were recently filled up providing some relief to the over burdened staff of the department, but not much pain was taken in last two decades to fill up the posts in CAPD department in Jammu region. It is also fact that there are hardly 15 to 20 % Govt Sales depots in Jammu region while in Kashmir, about 90 % are Govt depots and hardly 10 percent  private sales outlets.
Director CAPD Jammu, G R Chib when contacted admitted that there is shortage of staff in many districts of Jammu region.  He further maintained that requisition in this regard was also sent to the Administrative Department and they said to have referred the posts to the J&K SSRB. He admitted that some officials have been given additional charge to run the show.
Replying to another question, Mr Chib said about two dozen newly recruited non-Gazetted cadre persons have joined  the department recently. They are being deputed where ever, much problems is being faced.  He disclosed that against the sanctioned strength of about 980 in Jammu region, nearly 613 are in place at present. There is still shortage of nearly 370 employees. Moreover, new staff is needed to  be placed at the new Administrative units created besides raising infrastructure. Mr Chib also suggested to modify the old existing recruitment rules in the department.
Director CAPD Kashmir Abdul Rashid War though indicated that sanctioned strength in Kashmir region was more than 4500  but he maintained that at many places there was still shortage of staff. War said that he would be able to give exact data after checking up with his concerned staff. He also said that   many new tehsils have been created in Kashmir which also need staff.  He said to ensure  affective delivery of ration and enhance system, the vacant posts are needed to be filled up.
Another senior officer in the department said that decision regarding recruitment of news staff for the newly created Tehsils/ Administrative units  has yet to be taken by the Government, but he maintained  that there is need to open Govt ration depots/ Fair price shops at many places and for this a survey has also been conducted. Even in some areas, where small towns have become larger with the migration from rural areas, no new ration depots  were opened there for the last many years. Shortly, a decision would be taken in this regard. He further said that for making balancing act between both the regions, an intervention at the higher level in the Government is needed.

Follow our WhatsApp channel