Kupwara Administration Attaches Technical Assistants, GRSs Over ‘Poor MGNREGA Performance’

Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara, May 30: The Office of the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kupwara, who is also the Additional District Programme Coordinator under MGNREGA, has ordered the attachment of several Technical Assistants and Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRSs) for alleged poor performance and failure to meet targets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

According to separate orders issued by the ACD Kupwara, copies of which lie with Alfaaz – The Words, repeated directions had earlier been issued to Technical Assistants for the expeditious preparation and uploading of estimates in SECURE under MGNREGA to improve Project Demand generation and facilitate timely execution of approved works. Specific targets had also been fixed during various review meetings.

However, the administration observed that the performance of certain Technical Assistants remained “highly unsatisfactory” and far below the assigned targets despite repeated instructions and warnings. The order stated that the poor performance adversely affected Project Demand generation in their respective Panchayat Halqas and contributed significantly to the district lagging behind in achieving MGNREGA targets and timely commencement of developmental works.

Pending further orders, four Technical Assistants have been attached to the Office of the Assistant Commissioner Development Kupwara with immediate effect. The officials include Aamir Nabi Malik of Kralpora Block, Suliman Bashir of Qaziabad Block, Arif Sayeed Wani of Reddi Chowkibal Block, and Gawhar Ahmad Lone of Tarathpora Block.

The order further stated that continuation of poor performance may invite disciplinary action under relevant rules, including recommendation of termination or cancellation of engagement wherever applicable.

In another order, the ACD Kupwara attached 19 Gram Rozgar Sevaks for failure to generate any person days in their respective Panchayat Halqas during the ongoing working season under MGNREGA.

The order noted that nearly two months of the current working season had elapsed and the district was significantly lagging behind in achieving prescribed personday generation targets. A review of Panchayat Halqas revealed nil person day generation in several areas despite repeated directions, review meetings, and opportunities provided to the concerned field staff.

The administration termed the failure to generate even a single person day as “gross negligence, inefficiency, lack of initiative, and dereliction of duty,” stating that such performance had adversely affected the overall progress of the district under MGNREGA.

The attached GRSs include Faroog Ahmad Mir from Machil, Pirzada Sajad Ahmad and Mumtaza Akhtar from Qadirabad, Mohd Rafi Bhat and Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie from Reddi Chowkibal, Zakir Hussain Peer from Meelyal, Jahangir Ahmad Bhat and Tanveer Ahmad Khan from Kupwara, Jabeena Khanama, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, and Bashir Ahmad Malik from Hyhama, Muneer Hussain and Altaf Ahmad Qureshi from Rajwar, Khalid Ahmad Mir, Nisar Ahmad Bhat, and Tanveer Ahmad Booma from Kalaroos, Bilal Ahmad Andrabi and Zakir Ahmad Peer from Sogam, and Maryam Jan from Natnussa.

The officials have been directed to report to the ACD office immediately and have been instructed not to leave the station or remain absent from duty without prior permission from the competent authority.

The respective Block Development Officers have also been asked to ensure immediate compliance with the orders and make alternative arrangements for smooth functioning of the affected Panchayat Halqas.

The administration stated that the performance of the attached officials would be reviewed separately and further disciplinary action could follow if satisfactory justification is not furnished.