Officers of four J&K departments have been directed not to leave their place of postings without prior permission from the competent authority, amid the ongoing lockdown.
“No officer or staff will leave Kashmir for Jammu or viceversa without my permission,” read the directions issued by Navin KumarChoudhary, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and SheepHusbandry and Technical Education.
An official said officers from the respective departmentswere connected with each other though WhatsApp groups to monitor working of thedepartments and implement directions and programs, amid the lockdown. He saidheads of the departments and Managing Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture,and Technical Education have been strictly asked to remain available in therespective divisions for effective service delivery and transparency in thedepartments.
“Mobile phones of officers at district and directorate levelshould not be on switched off mode at anytime for any reason. We all are publicservants and supposed to be available 365 days and 24×7,” said an officialquoting Choudhary.
The departments have also been directed to hold meetingsthrough video-conferencing for officers posted in the province to streamlinethe system. The official while quoting directions from Choudhary on an officialWhatsApp groups said they have been directed to get prior permissions and nopost approval will be granted for visit outside the Union Territory or abroadfor any personal or official purpose.
Choudhray has also issued direction to officers under hisdepartments to review recruitment rules and submit report by May 15, and alsosend details about vacancies at various levels to the recruitment agencies.
He has emphasized on timely disposal of RTIs. “Focus shouldbe ensured on integrated farming by taking account benefits of horticulture,dairy development, flower cultivation, poultry, fodder production and fisherieswhich are basic of economic development,” read the directions to the officials.
While emphasizing collective and integrated approach betweenthe related departments, Choudhary has asked the Vice Chancellors of twoAgriculture Universities of Jammu and Kashmir to bring new research benefits tothe farmers.