Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 6: Stressing that it is time for the elected Government to “stamp its feet,” the ruling National Conference (NC) today stated in a firm tone that the bureaucracy’s “unilateral decisions” will no longer be tolerated in J&K.
Speaking to reporters, NC Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said that the social media gag order of the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Baramulla was issued “without taking the Education Minister on board,” which, he said, met with the necessary action.
“How will the administration run if there are unilateral decisions? The Minister has made a good decision, and the bureaucracy must understand that there is an elected Government of NC,” Dar said. Click here to watch video
“For any decision taken, necessary permission must be sought from the elected Government.” He said there was “no chaos” in the functioning of the Government, adding that the administration will not run as per the “wishes of the bureaucracy.”
“For the last six years, the bureaucrats were running amok. One order was issued in the morning and another in the evening. There is now a proper system in place; there is accountability, and the concerned official will be asked why such an order was issued,” he said.
“Whosoever told him about issuing this order – he had to report to the Education Minister. If that’s not done, there is a problem, and keeping that in view, action has been taken,” he added.
Dar said there was an “infringement of powers” that should ideally rest with the elected Government, emphasizing that it was time to safeguard the powers and rights given to the Government by the Constitution.
“We have been saying that there are two Governments running in J&K – one elected and another unelected. There are many things which should be under the control of the elected Government, but there also is infringement. I think it is time to stamp our feet,” he said.
Dar also lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for criticizing the Government over the issuance of the gag order. He said a similar order was issued when PDP President Mehbooba Mufti was the Chief Minister in 2017.
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