Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Uri, Dr Sajad Shafi Monday said the failure of officers to attend meetings was hampering efforts to review developmental works and address public grievances.
He said while during a joint review meeting convened by MLA Baramulla and MLA Uri in Baramulla outskirts to take stock of developmental projects being executed by different departments.
He expressed his displeasure over the absence of officers from meetings convened by elected representatives and questioned their accountability and “attitude” towards legislators.
“Officers are not taking meetings seriously. I don’t know what work culture they are working in. The attitude shown by officers is surprising,” Dr. Sajad Shafi said.
He said the constituency was being affected by the absence of officials from review meetings.
“The constituency has been left at God’s mercy. We call meetings and officers don’t take them seriously,” he said.
The MLA particularly criticised Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs), saying elected representatives were expected to keep track of works being executed by different departments, while concerned engineers often failed to provide information about their own projects.
“MLAs remember the works of all departments, but AEEs don’t remember their projects. AEEs don’t show up to attend the meetings,” he added.
MLA Uri said officers had an obligation to cooperate with elected representatives saying that MLAs do not ask for personal benefits but raise issues related to public concern.
“If you have issues in dealing with MLAs, we are not asking for our personal issues. If an MLA has come, why do officers not want to attend? This attitude has shocked me,” he added.
He said there was an urgent need to streamline the administrative system and fix accountability at every level.
“There is no accountability. We have to streamline the system and bring accountability,” he said.
The MLA also called for greater accountability of contractors executing government projects, particularly works under PMGSY, PHE and R&B.
“Make contractors accountable. They should do justice with the projects and do it judiciously. There are some areas in Uri and Baramulla constituency where works cannot be executed from October onwards, so the work needs to be expedited,” he added.
During the meeting, MLA Uri referred to a conversation with his father while drawing a comparison between the powers of elected governments before and after the abrogation of Article 370.
“I remember how officers used to deal with elected representatives during the tenure of my father. But these days why officers have ego in attending the meeting. I do not understand,” he asked.
Shafi warned that elected representatives would not compromise on the failure of officials to perform their duties.
“We will not compromise if officers do not work properly. Action will be taken against officials who fail to discharge their responsibilities,” he added.
MLA Uri however congratulated the sub-divisional administration in Uri constituency for its functioning, while expressing dissatisfaction with some officers in the Baramulla constituency.
He said the officers were capable but their “ego issues” were affecting coordination with elected representatives. “We should be able to work with zeal,” he added.
He appealed to local officers to put in additional efforts for the development of the region. “Let me make it clear to officers who are locals here. They are not from the AGMUT cadre. We have to live and die together,” he added.
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