The developmental works in North Kashmir’s Gurez valley has been slowed down due to lack of officials including junior engineers. Shortage of officials has affected the speed of work going on in the valley.
Since valley remains accessible for a short span of time due to extreme snowfall in winters, there are nearly six months for implementing the developmental works such as construction and roads.
As per reports, there are three community development (CD) blocks which are specially designated for rural development under the block development office (BDO) who work under Rural Development Department (RDD). These are Bagtore, Kanzalwan, Gurez and Tulail.
But, only one BDO is working with an additional charge of two more blocks, resulting in extreme staff shortage. Locals informed that the works and affairs were being handled by the assistants which were not qualified for the job. Many developmental works are left to be completed related to roads, water schemes etc. Due to absence of engineers in CD blocks the work is getting delayed.
BDC Tulail, Aijaz Raja told Greater Kashmir that most of the budget to rural areas like Gurez comes under Capex, which is for blocks and Panchayats and added that many a times authorities have been informed about the matter but no step has been taken.
Abdul Raheem a Sarpanch from Dawar Gurez said that valley has 20 Panchayats and among these eight falls in the central Gurez and last year over Rs one crore funds lapsed due to shortage of engineers. He added that they required at least three junior engineers for quick allotment of developmental works. Sub-divisional magistrate Gurez, (SDM) Mudasir Ahamd said, “I have written and requested for the posting of JEs in the RDD.