The High Court’s sharp rebuke over the nine-year delay in completing the Mendhar Mini Secretariat is not merely a commentary on an abandoned building-it is an indictment of the governance culture that allows public infrastructure to languish despite clear judicial directions, sanctioned budgets and undeniable public need. What makes this delay particularly troubling is that Rs 7 crore of taxpayer money has already been spent. Yet, the project today stands as a stark reminder of administrative inertia and shifting political priorities. When the Mini Secretariat was sanctioned, it reflected a conscious decision to address the administrative hardships faced by the people of the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. For decades, residents have had to travel to Jammu or Srinagar to seek Government approvals, register grievances, or push for developmental priorities. Establishing a Mini Secretariat at Mendhar was meant to bring governance closer to the doorstep, reduce systemic delays, and bridge the governance gap that has long plagued the region.
The High Court’s 2016 judgement recognised these needs. It explicitly ordered that the building be completed and made functional by the end of 2017, warning that any delay would waste the substantial public investment already made. Yet eight years later, the administration remains unable-or unwilling-to deliver even “tangible progress”. The larger issue is the frequent disconnect between political announcements and administrative follow-through. Projects often gain momentum under one Government and lose steam when priorities shift with political change. The Mendhar Mini Secretariat appears to be a victim of this pattern: a project once deemed essential for Poonch-Rajouri’s administrative empowerment is now treated with indifference. This inconsistency not only stalls development but also conveys that long-term public welfare can be overshadowed by short-term political convenience.
If used judiciously, the Mendhar Mini Secretariat can significantly improve administrative efficiency, reduce public grievances, and contribute to balanced regional development. The HC has done its part by reviving accountability; it is now up to the Government to demonstrate that public money and public interest still command respect.
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