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| New dispensation endorses what the previous one has done, goes one step further | | Transfers of engineers | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Aug 21: Some engineering departments, particularly R&B and PHE, have come under sharp criticism over the alleged unmindful transfers of top engineers in the last five months.
When the PDP-BJP coalition government assumed office in March this year, people were upbeat that it would make even 'kaam chor' to work as was done by the PDP-led government from 2002 to 2005. Soon, hopes pinned in new dispensation ended and people got disappointed which even the ministers in both the camps admit privately. What was even more shocking was that the "top" officers developed sense of insecurity not because the new dispensation was tough on corruption but because the powerful ministers started hitting them on flimsy grounds, shattering their confidence. The engineering wings suffered the institutional damage to the hilt.
A Superintending Engineer in R&B department was made in-charge Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir allegedly by superseding 3 seniors. He still continues to enjoy the plum posting, giving orders to seniors.
Though those at the helm of affairs argue that Chief Engineer's is a selection post and any eligible SE can be posted as Chief Engineer. But they forget that in 2014 itself the J&K High Court (single bench) disapproved Government's policy of stop-gap and in-charge arrangements in engineering departments. The court observed "the officers at different levels are pushed to endless litigations and instead of devoting their time to designing and supervision of projects of pubic importance, they are forced to spend time in making rounds of the courts of law". Further articulating the discontent the court said that "the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that a Chief Engineer holds the post of an Assistant Engineer on substantive basis and a Superintending Engineer that of a junior engineer. No one appears to have the will to stem the rot."
However, the government continues to go by the liking and disliking of the people who matter. A very dangerous precedence has been set for witch-hunting, sources alleged.
In PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department too, the undeserving are alleged to be preferred over merit and performance. Sources said the Government had planned to give gold medal to a top engineer on August 15 for "flooding the city" but dropped the idea at the last moment. Three junior SEs confirmed by PSC in 2008, 9 and 10 have been made chief engineers while a senior SE confirmed by PSC in 2007 was transferred unceremoniously from South Kashmir, the sources alleged.
"It is commonly acknowledged that J&K has a notorious transfer industry in which political patronage and corruption flourish", said a senior bureaucrat. He said the irregularities in transfers in J&K have been reported and it is very unlikely that implementation of the government order will be in accordance with established policies. |
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