Srinagar, May 15: The Jammu & Kashmir Chief Engineers Gazetted Association (J&KCEGA) on Friday welcomed the reorganisation of the Jal Shakti Department, terming it a practical and balanced reform aimed at strengthening the department and improving public service delivery across the Union Territory.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Jammu & Kashmir Chief Engineers Gazetted Association (J&KCEGA) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Jammu & Kashmir for the landmark reorganisation of the Jal Shakti Department, terming it a progressive, balanced and institutionally sound reform aimed at strengthening the departmental structure and improving public service delivery across the Union Territory.
He said the Association has particularly conveyed its deep appreciation to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmad Rana, and Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department Shaleen Kabra, for their visionary leadership, administrative wisdom and positive intervention in ensuring that the restructuring exercise was carried out in a rational, practical and professionally balanced manner without disturbing the existing top administrative order and institutional hierarchy.
“J&KCEGA has observed that the reorganisation addresses several long-pending structural and functional requirements of the department and reflects the Government’s serious commitment towards strengthening the engineering and technical framework of the Jal Shakti sector,” he said.
The Association has particularly welcomed the creation of the post of Secretary Technical in the Jal Shakti Department, which is expected to significantly improve technical coordination, policy execution and administrative efficiency within the department.
It also appreciated the establishment of a separate Design, Inspection & Quality (DIQ) wing in the department, describing it as a major step towards ensuring quality assurance, technical scrutiny and improved monitoring of public infrastructure works.
The creation of the offices of Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle Jammu-II and Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle Bandipora has been termed by the Association as a timely and much-needed decision in view of the increasing operational and administrative workload in these regions.
Similarly, the creation of six new divisions, including Hydraulic Division Gandoh, Hydraulic Division Gurez, Hydraulic Division Tangdar, PHE Division Mendhar, and two Water Quality & Monitoring Divisions for the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir, has been widely appreciated by the Association, which stated that these measures would considerably improve field-level implementation, operational efficiency and monitoring mechanisms, particularly in remote and geographically challenging areas.
The spokesperson said the Association has further welcomed the restructuring of Mechanical Sub-Divisions and the creation of 43 posts through corresponding reduction and rationalisation of existing 62 posts, terming it an example of efficient cadre management and resource optimisation without any unnecessary financial burden on the Government.
The encadrement of 10 posts and re-assignment of 137 posts within the cadre structure has also been appreciated as a pragmatic and well-considered approach towards addressing administrative bottlenecks and strengthening institutional functionality.
J&KCEGA has additionally noted with satisfaction the rational revision in Deputation Reserve and Leave Reserve provisions at various levels including Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers, stating that such measures would provide greater administrative flexibility, improve manpower planning and facilitate smoother departmental functioning.
The Association also expressed satisfaction over the continued regularisation process in the Jal Shakti Department. At the same time, it noted that a similar regularisation process is missing in the R&B Department and expressed hope that the Government will address this issue on similar lines.
President, J&KCEGA, Er. Farooq, stated: “This historic reorganisation demonstrates the Government’s deep understanding of the genuine structural and operational requirements of the Jal Shakti Department. The reforms have been carried out in an extremely balanced and practical manner without disturbing the existing administrative hierarchy at the top level. We are sincerely thankful to the Chief Minister, Minister for Jal Shakti and the worthy Additional Chief Secretary for their statesmanship, vision and responsiveness towards the concerns of the engineering fraternity.”
Chief Patron, J&KCEGA, Er. Nasir Amin, remarked: “The creation of new circles, divisions, technical institutions and cadre rationalisation measures will significantly strengthen the department at both administrative and field levels. These reforms will improve efficiency, accountability and technical supervision while also boosting the morale of engineers working across Jammu & Kashmir. The Association wholeheartedly welcomes this progressive initiative of the Government.”
The Association expressed hope that the Government will continue to take similar progressive measures for institutional strengthening, professional empowerment and improved public infrastructure management in the larger interest of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
