Councilors anguished over govt’s failure to empower them

Srinagar, Nov 14: Around a two dozen councilors on Wednesday expressed anguish over failure of the government to “empower” them.

Addressing media persons here in Srinagar, councilor ward number 12, Budshah Nagar Aijaz Rasool Bhat said that government has adopted lackadaisical approach towards the issues confronting the councilors.

“We were elected one and half months ago, but still we haven’t been briefed about our job profile. The concerned authorities themselves don’t know, what we are supposed to do,” he said.

He added that they have been continuously visiting Srinagar Municipal Commissioner (SMC) Commissioner’s office to enquire about the works, they can undertake in their respective wards.

“The Commission says that he has not received circular pertaining to us. We should come to know about our duties as we have to work for those who voted for us,” he said.

“Bye-laws should be handed over to us at an earliest,” he added.

Referring towards SMC, Mayor, Junaid Azim Matoo, Bhat said that since he took over he has not taken a single meeting.

“In a month, he is supposed to take twelve meetings. It seems that he is busy with his personal work. We have been getting good response on the ground. We need the support of mayor. We have to work as a team, then only we can address the issues of people,” he said.

Councilor from ward number 4, Dalgate Sumaira Bashir said that they are not able to meet the people due to fear.

“Neither the security, nor any car has been provided to us. The funds for developmental works have still not been released. Once released, we can initiate some developmental works in our wards,”she said.