Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Mar 28 : Former Minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar on Saturday flagged serious administrative gaps in Bandipora, alleging that a large number of posts remain vacant while many officers are handling multiple responsibilities, affecting governance in the district.
Speaking to reporters, Akhtar said that many senior officers have been assigned additional charges in the district, a situation he said is putting pressure on the administration and slowing down decision-making.
He said Bandipora is among the worst-affected areas, though similar issues are also visible in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. “When one officer is given several responsibilities, it becomes difficult to do justice to any of them,” he said, adding that delays and inefficiency are a natural outcome of such arrangements.
Akhtar also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in postings and promotions, particularly in the health sector.
He said there are reports that a large number of promotions have been made recently and that questions are being raised over the process.
“I have heard that two to three hundred promotions have been made in the health department, and there are serious allegations that money has changed hands,” he said, calling the claims troubling and damaging to public trust.
The PDP leader stressed that key administrative positions including commissioners, additional commissioners and other senior posts should not remain vacant or be managed through temporary arrangements for long periods. He said such practices weaken institutions and affect service delivery on the ground.
Urging immediate intervention, Akhtar asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds charge of the General Administration Department, to review the situation.
He said the government must examine why a significant number of posts in Bandipora remain unfilled and ensure timely appointments. Prolonged vacancies, he warned, will continue to impact governance and delay essential public services in the district.(KNS).
