The Directorate of Economics and Statistics and the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir are currently embroiled in an administrative quagmire that not only flouts the Union Territory Government’s Transfer Policy but also undermines the efficiency and morale of the civil service. A significant number of officials from the Economics and Statistics Directorate have overstayed their tenures in various offices within the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir, some by as much as 13 years, despite repeated requests for their transfer. This situation highlights a concerning disregard for established policies and an apparent lack of accountability within the system. The Transfer Policy of the Union Territory Government is designed to ensure rotational postings, which are crucial for maintaining an unbiased and dynamic administrative structure. Regular transfers help prevent the entrenchment of officials in one place, which can lead to stagnation, corruption, and inefficiency. However, the current scenario presents a stark contrast to these principles, with some officials managing to remain in their positions well beyond their prescribed tenures. This prolonged stay is not a mere oversight but a blatant violation of policy, reflecting poorly on the administrative machinery.
The issue first surfaced years ago, when more than 100 officials from the Economics and Statistics Directorate were posted in various wings of the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir. Despite completing their tenure as per the Transfer Policy, these officials were not transferred, for reasons best known to the officials at the helm. The Rural Development Department (RDD) has been vocal about this anomaly, highlighting the issue through multiple communications over the past year, yet their requests have been largely ignored.
The Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir formally requested the transfer of 104 officials with mature stays, which was processed promptly by the Administrative Department and forwarded to the Planning, Development, and Monitoring Department and the Director General, Economics and Statistics. However, the response from the Director General’s office, which came after a significant delay, cited the impracticality of transferring all 104 officials at once, especially mid-session. This reasoning, though seemingly valid, failed to address the urgency and the systemic issue at hand. The RDD rightly contested this mid-session argument, pointing out that the delay was a direct result of the file remaining unattended in the Director General’s office. Even after verifying the status of 75 officials and resubmitting the file on September 12, 2023, the matter was not handled with the necessary urgency. A subsequent communication in February 2024 reiterated the request during an appropriate transfer window, but it failed to elicit the required action. The persistent delayed inaction suggests deeper issues within the administrative framework. There are allegations that such prolonged postings are not possible without the connivance of some officers within the Economics and Statistics Directorate. This situation raises serious questions about the integrity of the process and the transparency of the decision-making within the Directorate.
Checks and balances have to be in place as the implications of this administrative inertia are far-reaching, eroding the credibility of the administrative system and resulting in a culture of complacency and favouritism. To address this issue, several steps need to be taken. There should be a thorough audit of the current posting status of all officials within the Economics and Statistics Directorate to identify and rectify any anomalies. The Union Territory Government should enforce stricter compliance with the Transfer Policy, ensuring that all departments adhere to the guidelines without exceptions. An accountability mechanism to hold officials responsible for undue delays and non-compliance with transfer requests has to be implemented. By enforcing the transfer policy strictly and ensuring accountability at all levels, the Government can prevent such administrative bottlenecks and promote a more dynamic, transparent, and efficient civil service. The resolution of this matter will not only benefit the officials involved but also enhance the overall governance and development efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
