What SMC needs for “overhaul”?
Raqeeb Bhat
Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation, which is commonly known as SMC has been in headlines since past many years for its incompetence, large scale bungling and mess created by some inefficient officials holding key positions in the corporation.
Many Media outlets in Kashmir had carried multiple stories in past with regard to illegal constructions, nepotism, corruption and inefficiency of officials who failed to deliver their duties and redress public issues.
Pertinently, the government has recently appointed an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer, Athar Amir Khan as Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
Netizens of Srinagar City while talking to KDC have welcomed the government’s move and are demanding that Corporation should be ‘’overhauled’’ in every aspect and manner as the SMC is currently relying under complete mess due to some incompetent & inefficient officials who as per reliable sources are holding key positions like Secretary, Enforcement wing, Swachh Bharat wing and other key holding officers.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has many assets in the city to generate revenue components and make corporations self-reliant but things are vice-versa as revenue component is less and expenditure is much heavier.
It is also worthwhile to mention here that the appointment of class IV employees is not being advertised from past many years. Employees of the Corporation are managing the recruitment process by their own way.
With regard to illegal constructions at least 200 hundred structures have come up in the city during the Covid-19 lockdown period without adopting the codal procedures and formalities.
As per reports the officials at the SMC first allow the residents to construct structures without seeking permission from the competent authority after minting money and after the construction they start demolition of the same structures.
Reports said that building inspectors have been promoted as ward officers without following the due procedures.
As the government last week appointed an IAS officer as the new Commissioner of the SMC, common people are expecting that all the irregularities and mess in the Corporation will be brought to fore and the corporation will see a complete “Overhaul”. (KDC)
