Rana bats for positioning Durbar in Srinagar during winter, in Jammu during summer
JAMMU NOVEMBER 14- National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Wednesday strongly pitched for positioning the Durbar Move offices in Srinagar during the winter and in Jammu in the harsh summer months in order to provide respite to the people of both the provinces when they need it the most.
Mr Rana, who is also MLA Nagrota, was speaking to the reporters at the sidelines of the launch of macadimisation drive in Sidhra this afternoon.
When asked whether such an arrangement will not be against the spirit behind Durbar Move, Mr Rana retorted, “In fact this will be in consonance of the idea behind shifting of the seat of power to serve the people well”.
Mr Rana lauded the far-sight and vision of the Maharaja in introducing Durbar Move and said this has almost become integral to the way of life of both the regions. However, he said, with the change of times, changes are imperative in the system as well. The people cannot be abandoned and left to the weather vagaries, resulting in disruption of utility services, he added.
Mr Rana shared his experience with the reporters and said that the administration is to be seen amid the people during the hour of need. “Moving seat of power to another region during most testing times is like snatching the umbrella when it rains the most”, he said, elaborating that he has put forth his idea, which needs discussion at both public and official levels. He said such a mechanism will enforce accountability in the administration and make it responsive to the needs of the people. Also, those at the helm, be it political class or bureaucracy will also have a feel of the problems of acute winter conditions and sever snowfall during winters in the Valley and frequent load shedding and related issues on account of drinking water during summer, as the case may be.
“We must understand that the political executives and the bureaucracy are essentially for serving the people”, he said, adding that an impression has taken deep roots in the minds of the people that both these components of public service are enjoying coziness of the warmth during winter in Jammu and cool their heels in the valley when scorching summers make the life of people miserable in the winter capital. This impression is needed to be waived keeping in view the ultimate objective of serving the people, he added.
Mr Rana said that such an arrangement will also help in larger people to people exchange of the two regions and will help in further cementing the bonds of integration.
The Provincial President urged the administration and the political class to take a lead in this regard and draw a road-map for stationing of the headquarters of the state administration nearer the people at the hour crisis and need.
Those present during the launch of mechadimisation included Shama Akhter, Corporator, JMC, Abdul Hameed, Mohammed Aslam, Riyaz, Pattu, Babu Ram. Haneef Ahmed, Imran, Mushtaq, Saif Ali, Sujan Ali, Razak and others.
Mr Rana urged the executing agency for maintaining required standards in the machadimisation work so that the status of the roads does not get compromised.
