At a time the government has asked employees to join their duties or face consequences, most of the ministers have abandoned their offices in civil secretariat in Srinagar-which is under intense unrest since July 8.
While the entire life has come to the grinding halt due to continuous curfew and shutdowns, the government wants its employees to report to their offices or there will be ‘no work no pay’.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir had warned “any deviation from the order will be viewed seriously and recovery would be made from personal account of the erring officer”.
However, the highest seat of governance Civil Secretariat continues to wear a deserted look these days with minimal presence of officials and ministers.
When this reporter visited the Civil Secretariat Srinagar, only four ministers of the PDP were present surprisingly none from the BJP.
Similarly last week, only two to three ministers remained available in offices. On Thursday, only few ministers were available at the civil secretariat to address the grievances of people and clear the pending files.
“Not to talk of lower rung employees, even most of the senior officers have not joined duties after unrest broke out in the Valley. Some are coming to office on alternate days,” an official in general administration said.
“Ministers carry a posse of security men with them are not able to come out of their residences and most are staying in Jammu. Then how can you expect from employees to join duties when they are being harassed by forces and their vehicles being attacked by stone pelters,” he added. (PTK)