Jammu, October 7:
With continued complaints that elected Panchayat and Urban Local Body (ULB) members are facing ‘apathy’ of officials and not getting proper attention, the government has directed officials to adhere to the protocol attached with the elected members.
As per the circular issued by government, “Implementation of the 73d and 74m Constitutional amendment pertaining to Rural and Urban Local Governments and the consequent devolution of functions and activities to the elected representatives of public has made it imperative that these representatives are attended appropriately in all government offices with due protocol”.
Circular reads, “In this direction many departments have already issued a number of instructions/advisories, however, instances of breach of protocol of these public representatives are continuously being reported”.
It is accordingly, enjoined upon all the concerned officers/officials working in various Government departments of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that these representatives be attended on priority in public offices with appropriate regard to their protocol.
“It shall be ensured that they are invited to all official functions/meetings organized in their jurisdiction, where these representatives are stakeholders. They shall also be invited in the event of official visit of any dignitary in their jurisdiction”, reads the circular.
Pertinent to mention here that in April Jammu and Kashmir government had amended its Warrant of Precedence, placing the chairpersons of the District Development Council (DDC) equivalent to that of Mayors (Srinagar/ Jammu Municipal Corporation) within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
In an order, the government had placed the DDC chairpersons equivalent to mayors at serial number 19A in the amended warrant of precedence.
DDC vice-chairpersons have been placed at serial number 26 equivalent to all Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, IGPs, Chief Conservator of Forests, Joint Secretaries to the Government of India and officers of equivalent rank and officers of the rank of Major General or equivalent rank within their respective jurisdictions.
DDC members continue to be placed at serial number 28 and equivalent to District Magistrates, officers of the rank of Brigadiers and equivalent, major heads of department, conservator of forests and district & session Judges.
Chairpersons of Block Development Councils, presidents of Municipal Councils and Municipalities have also been placed at serial number 28 in the warrant of precedence
