Jammu: Ministers, who leave no stone unturned to claim that they are the representatives of people, allegedly have no time for people in the civil secretariat Jammu.
The commoners visiting the government offices in the state, to get their issues redressed have also alleged to cross lot of hurdles before meeting any dignitary.
People alleged that Ministers, usually have no fixed time to reach or leave the secretariat. They come and go as per their convenience.
One of the visitors alleged that he had visited the Secretariat on many occasions to meet a Minister. Either I couldnt find him in the office or the peon did not let me in. It seems you have to be a party worker to get the appointment, the visitor told the KNS correspondent insisting not to be named.
People said that they have to undergo three tier security checks before entering into the Secretariat. Despite getting frisked and checked visitors find it hard to meet the people whom they voted to power. Isnt it unfortunate? asked a visitor. If they dont want to meet the common people in Secretariat they should declare it out of bounds for common people, he added.
Visitors, who are unable to meet the minister or the bureaucrat whom they come to see, usually end up in the personal section of the concerned dignitary. Here they are asked to leave their application and are assured that the matter would be looked into. Lot of people visit secretariat everyday and everyone want to meet the minister or the top officer. Usually people at the helm remain busy and its not possible for them to spare time for everyone, said one of the officers.
People alleged that though, the Government had claimed that the Civil Secretariat will remain open for the general public after 1 pm but it has been observed that most of the ministers lock their offices citing busy schedule.
I came here to meet the Forest minister but his peon asked me Sahab yaha nai hai (minister is not here),Gulam Hassan of North Kashmir’s Handwara tehsil who had come to meet the Minister said.
Visitors also alleged that the security personnel manning the Civil Secretariat apply pick and choose policy by allowing the influential people before the 1 pm.
Meanwhile People allege that the biggest impediment which most people find impossible to cross is the peons (chaprasis) deployed outside the office chambers of powerful people in the state.
People in large numbers are seen waiting in the corridors of DCs, Directors, and other officials, pleading before the peons to let them in. Sahab is in the meeting. You will have to wait till it gets over, this is usual reply visitors get from peons.
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