Srinagar, Apr 29: While the state’s Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) is all set to clear the promotions at higher levels in the Local Bodies Department Jammu, the decision has been kept in abeyance for the Kashmir region.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) headed by Principal Secretary H&UDD met in Jammu earlier this month and discussed the promotions at the level of Chief Executive Officers and Executive Officers for different Local Bodies of the region. The HUDD is headed by the senior Congress Minister, Tara Chand who is also the state’s Deputy Chief Minister.
 “The meeting discussed the promotions of at least three officials to the level of Chief Executive Officers and promotions of around 25 incharge Executive Officers,” sources said adding that the proposal was accordingly approved by the committee.
 Director Local Bodies, Jammu, Fakir Chand who is member of the DPC said the meeting discussed different matters like seniority, service tenure and other relevant issues pertaining to the promotion of the officials. “A formal promotion order will be issued by the administrative department only after the Durbar move,” Chand said.
 There are 35 Municipality Corporations in Jammu while Kashmir has 47 Corporations working under the Urban Local Bodies Department. An EO heads a Municipal Committee and is in charge of execution of different works including development projects and sanitation program in his/her jurisdiction. The CEO is equivalent to the rank of the Deputy Director.
 In Kashmir, sources said around 30 officials are working as incharge Executive Officers for the past many years. “But the department has ignored the promotions for the region,” sources said.
 Employees Association of Kashmir Urban Local bodies have been accusing the H&UDD of ignoring due benefits to the employees, development and fund utilization for various projects in Kashmir.
 In January this year the Urban Local Bodies United Front (ULBUF) demonstrated against blockade of funds by the HUDD meant for development of Srinagar and Valley municipalities.
 The protests followed after Greater Kashmir reported that the Public Accounts Committee noticed that Rs 15 crore released to the State Government by Government of India for solid waste management in seven towns of Kashmir are lying unspent for the past two years due to virtual blockade of the utilization by the H&UDD headed by Tara Chand.
 President ULBUF, Manzoor Ahmad Pampori said it is “shocking” that the Department has ignored the promotions for Kashmir region. “From issues regarding to promotion of employees to fund utilization to development government is victimizing Kashmir,” Pampori said.
 The H&UDD Minister, Tara Chand said the DPC only discussed the promotions for Jammu region. “No order has been issued so far,” he said.
 Regarding promotions in Kashmir the Minister said the department was facing some “technical problems.” “Besides Vigilance Organization is investigating some appointments there,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST