Though restoration of normal work both in the government offices and at the construction sites is in itself an indication that opportunity sought by Chief Minister during unrest last for fast tracking development has come her way this year but Works Minister Nayeem Akhter knowing for creating mess in the department has pushed R&B department too in a state of chaos and confusion which had gripped education minister when Akher was minister incharge education. Today when the education department is run by a minister who has come from the business back ground the work culture in the education department has improved and attitudinal change among both the teachers and the students is visible on ground but with the take over of the R&B department Nayeem Akhter has failed to fast track the work on construction projects despite restoration of normalcy in most parts of Kashmir valley. The biggest casualty of Akhter’s poor handling of the R&B department is the construction of the Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover which keeping in view present pace of work on the project is likely to miss March 2018 extended deadline. Previously when Altaf Bukhari was Works minister the subway used as traffic routes between Barzulla bridge and Jahangir Chowk were well macadamized but now when Akhter is works minister the same sub ways are painting a dismal picture of road connectivity. As the passenger and private vehicles are moving through the rough patch on the subways used for traffic between Barzulla Bridge and Jahangir Chowk, the passengers find themselves gripped with the fear of meeting an accident due to the turtling movements of the vehicles. Unfortunate part of the mishandling of R&B department by Nayeem Akhter is his unwanted intervention in the working of even the Deputy Commissioners who for the purposes of public conveniences explore all options for fast tracking the work on the construction projects in their concerned districts. Very recently Deputy Commission Pulwama suspended two Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) on charges of dereliction of duty but Nayeem Akhter not only revoked the suspension of both the engineers but also admonished the Deputy Commission for taking action against the engineers without his consent.
R&B ministry paints the picture of government and if such a department fails to work and show results, it casts shadows over the working of the whole government.
Keeping in view the credentials of the Deputy Commission who has efficiently discharged his duties as Deputy Commissioner Shopian and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara the action of the works minister was questionable by all standards of administrative wisdom. Going for surprise checks and asking engineers on ground to complete the projects is the duty of the Deputy Commissioner and the Executive Engineer concerned, but after the revocation of the suspension of two engineers in Pulwama ordered by the incumbent Deputy Commissioner some ministers including legislators have been forced to move out for surprise checks and asking engineers on ground to complete the projects even in Srinagar city. Now when the mishandling of the works minister is breaking the patience of the legislators and ministers to the extent of conducting surprise checks themselves on the construction sites it is for the Chief Minister to personally oversee the working of the R&B department and call for explanations from the minister concerned whenever and where ever need for such an action arises. R&B ministry paints the picture of government and if such a department fails to work and show results, it casts shadows over the working of the whole government.
