One of the innovative reforms in the overall functioning of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and to ensure that the requisite quantum of efficiency and discipline were the hallmark of their day to day activities, the UT of Jammu and Kashmir is poised to emulate the model adopted by various states of an antidote to the various ills afflicting some of the ULBs in the form of creating a Common Municipal Cadre. Since almost all facilities and a sound base having been arranged by the Government which includes a liberal financial support also to the ULBs so that their functioning could match the expectations of the people, it is disheartening that there should be glaring instances of indulging in irregular and corrupt practices, coupled with favouritism and nepotism by some of these ULBs landing in extent at short of a loot. That there should be any sort of misgivings or false notion of indispensability and hence ”enjoying” a long rope of doing actions smacking of transparency and accountability by any of the ULB should be neutralised by a well devised mechanism hence the Common Municipal Cadre (CMC).
Painfully, making a comparison with Jammu division, we have been observing over a period of time, a ”free for all” system prevailing in Kashmir valley and the ULBs having turned into the dens of intrigues , corruption, , unhealthy political practices, and recruitments made without following any proper guidelines but only on the intervention and influence of the politicians and bureaucrats who put forward and get ”adjusted” their blue eyed boys which was tantamount to sheer exploitation of powers vested in the Municipalities. Instead of making these ULBs as instruments of improving the sanitary and other basic facilities in the city, maximum cases of illegal appointments made therein have not only been reported but registered with the investigating agencies as well. The Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act thus stands brazenly violated in matters of appointments and recruitments. It is, therefore, imperative to evolve such a system where foolproof, transparent and deft handling was doubly ensured and where Municipal Corporations could do little in important, sensitive and vital issues unless there was concurrence from the Government or through its constituted bodies. The same approach needed to be adopted in respect of Panchayats in addition to creation of the authority of an Ombudsman.
Since nothing can be done in a haste in creation of the CMC hence the need to go in for a detailed exercise was paramount where cross opinions and expert advice on the same should be taken based on the levels of achievement of results in those states where it was implemented . The fact of the matter is that any inordinate delay in the exercise and then in its implementation would not fetch the desired results , if not defeat the very purpose. Once the CMC was created, among other things , Housing and Urban Development Department could be empowered to transfer the municipal staff as remaining at one place by an employee , officer etc for considerable time was breeding undue influence, hegemony and corrupt practices. Why should not the personnel be transferred between Srinagar and Jammu to induce a sense of the duties of an employee instead of merely vouching for rights and that too in an unjustified manner and conduct. Disciplinary code of conduct and provisions should be introduced whereby corrupt and inefficient personnel could also be sacked . Unless a sense of fear was there in the delinquent officers and employees against indulging in irregular and corrupt practices , the functioning of these local bodies would remain much below the bare minimum levels. The system of CMC , therefore, would also ensure not only the works undertaken speedily but instances of and complaints in respect of corrupt practices would drastically come down.
Let words not be minced that under the same umbrella of one legislation , there was absolutely no parity between the Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation so far as posts , designations, duties, responsibilities, even pay scales and allowances are concerned which cannot be accepted and must be checked and trimmed in the manner it warranted. Inefficiency, corrupt practices, treating being in employment as having liberty to go beyond the legal and ethical limits , opposing mobility and transfers and the like must be stopped and disallowed quite sternly .
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