Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Apr 6: The top officials here in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have set an example in managing the governance related affairs with very less “human intervention” by using the technology including video conferencing and social networking site Whats App to ensure that governance doesn’t succumb to COVID-19 pandemic in J&K.
Government sources told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), that from Rajbhawan, where Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu stays, to civil secretariat office to heads of all important departments, like Health, Education agriculture, horticulture, floriculture etc, all are using technology like video conferencing and Whats App ensuring that governance doesn’t become the victim.
A senior official said that at a time when social distancing is need of the hour, LG Murmu takes stock of the situation emerging across J&K every day through video conferencing.
“He seeks information and passes directions to the Chief Secretary, principal secretaries, officials from the health department, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners of every district, almost every day,” the official said, adding that important directions are passed to the officers from the crucial departments including health, medical education, Consumer Affairs and Public Administration, police, disaster management.
“LG Murmu chairs video conferencing every day twice—morning and evening with the officials concerned,” the official said.
Similarly, every Head of the Department (HoDs), Principal Secretaries, Directors and Managing directors have created Whats App groups and have added their respective employees. “Directions are being passed everyday about work to be done and to be taken up. This has reduced the human intervention to a large extent and work too hasn’t suffered,” said a top officer.
A senior employee said that they have been added by the official group and everyday, they get directions what to do for the day. “This is the easy step to stay in touch with each other,” he said.
“Work too hasn’t suffered beyond a certain limit despite the fact that J&K is fighting against the worst ever pandemic,” he said.
