Now that the election to local bodies has concluded and thankfully peacefully, the governor administration should gear up to make newly elected grass roots representatives to start working for the welfare of the public. As the Governor has already dissolved State Legislative Assembly, the elected representatives, who actually were the only connect between masses and the government, cease to have any influence or say to resolve peoples’ day-to-day issues. People in the state particularly those living in Valley and other hilly areas are face to face with too many hardships. Early winter and intense cold weather has thrown life out of gear because the governor administration has failed to live upto the expectations of the common masses. The biggest reason being that the administration hasn’t been able to regulate and regularize the electric power supply. In most of the areas in Kashmir particularly in rural areas, electricity has become an extinct commodity. There are long scheduled and unscheduled power cuts. Due to the weather conditions the transformers in villages are breaking down with frequency and there is no proper mechanism in place to restore or replace such transformers within specific time frame. This scenario is adding to the power woes of public. At the same time the frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway is another matter of worry for Valley people. Once the highway is closed, the prices of essential commodities start sky rocketing as once again there is no proper mechanism to keep the prices under control. Another crisis that people face during these days is the water supply. In certain areas, particularly in Srinagar and other town, water is to be stored with the help of water pumps these pumps function only on electric power.
When State Assembly was in place, the people would rush to their respective MLAs with their grievances. Though they had no magic wands but still people would witness redressal of some grievances. But in governor administration, people have no connection or communication with the administration. They have no access to advisors or for that matter top bureaucrats and heads of departments who are at the helm of affairs at the moment. Earlier, even if their issues would not get addressed, they still had a satisfaction that they have brought those issues in the notice of one who has the wherewithal to address the same. But in governor’s rule, commoners don’t have even that luxury.
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Therefore it is time that the grass roots representatives, who have emerged victorious during election of local bodies, are geared up, made to pull their socks and start working. In governor’s rule, in absence of MLAs, these representatives have to become eyes of the administration and ears of the public. They have to start working in their areas and identify issues confronting their respective electorate and bring the same to the notice of the concerned authorities so these are resolved. Winter, particularly in Kashmir Valley, is the toughest period of the year and it is during this period when people really need a responsive government. The gap that has developed between those who govern and those governed due to dissolution of State Assembly can be bridged only by newly elected representatives and therefore governor administration should ensure that the process starts and starts without any further delay.
