Transparency and accountability at stake in Jal Shakti Divisions: A call for immediate intervention

Employees are being denied their due postings, while others remain posted at the same place for years, creating administrative imbalance and poor functioning in departments

Despite completing over five years of service at the same stations, many government employees in Jal Shakti Divisions are still awaiting transfers, raising concerns about favoritism and lack of transparency in the implementation of transfer norms

The stay list of non-gazette staff of PHE Division Rajouri, Jal Shakti (PHE) City Division-II Jammu, and Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Udhampur reveals a concerning trend of employees being stuck in the same positions for extended periods

The issue of “over-staying officials in Jal Shakti Divisions creating a monopoly in the Jammu region” highlights a concern about staffing and service delivery in the Jal Shakti (water) department of Jammu and Kashmir. Thorough investigation confirm that the overstaying of employees in certain postings, some for over a decade, was cited as a persistent problem leading to service gaps and affecting water supply. This issue is a known factor in the large-scale reshuffle of field staff in the department and contributes to inefficiency. The overstaying of officials in specific postings was identified as a major contributor to inefficiencies in the Jal Shakti Department and the resulting service gaps. Some officials had remained in the same postings for extended periods, with reports mentioning some serving for over a decade.

Despite completing over five years of service at the same stations, many government employees in Jal Shakti Divisions are still awaiting transfers, raising concerns about favoritism and lack of transparency in the implementation of transfer norms. Employees are being denied their due postings, while others remain posted at the same place for years, creating administrative imbalance and poor functioning in departments.

Undue delays in transfers not only affect employees’ career growth but also hinder the smooth functioning of Jal Shakti Divisions. The stay list of non-gazette staff of PHE Division Rajouri, Jai Shakti (PHE) City Division-II Jammu, and Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Udhampur reveals a concerning trend of employees being stuck in the same positions for extended periods .

Jal Shakti Divisions failure to transfer field employees across various sub-divisions has resulted in manpower imbalances and irregular water supply services, which in turn has also triggered a drinking water crisis in several remote villages, leaving thousands of residents without access to safe water.

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We urge the higher authorities to intervene immediately to ensure fair transfer orders and equal opportunities for all employees. The lack of transparency and accountability in transfer policies can lead to administrative imbalance, poor functioning, and negatively impact the delivery of essential services.

We request the authorities to ensure transparency in transfer policies and procedures, implement fair and timely transfers to prevent administrative imbalance, provide equal opportunities for all employees and address the concerns of employees and the public in a timely manner. By taking immediate action, the authorities can ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the functioning of Jal Shakti Divisions, ultimately benefiting both employees and the public.