From Rajbawan to civil secretariat, technology comes handy for Govt officials

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar:  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 pandemic Covid-19 in J&K.

Government sources told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), that from the Rajbhawan, where Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandera 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 Covid-19’s victim.

A senior official told KINS that at a time when social distancing is need of the hour, LG Murmu takes stock of the situation emerging due to the pandemic Covid-19 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 every day 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 director of a crucial department, wishing not to be named.

A senior employee told KINS that they have been added by the official group and every day, 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 every pandemic,” he said. Pertinently, J&K witnessed 92 positive cases on Saturday while as dozens of reports are still awaited. (KINS)