Srinagar, July 19: There seems no easy access for the people about the government works as the departments are not updating the content regularly on their websites and non-existent of mobile numbers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking a serious note, authorities have directed departments to ensure that websites are updated regularly and people are aware about the works being done in the Union Territory.
Sources say that systematic neglect of access has become a cause of concern at a time when visitors on the websites have increased and rely more on digital platforms.
The slew of irregularities includes un-updated websites with old and irrelevant information, defunct landlines numbers, non-existent mobile numbers misleading the people, who try to reach out to the senior officials of departments over phone.
The government directed its departments multiple times in the past to keep their websites updated in order to ensure transparency in their working. But, a cursory look at many of the departments show that their websites haven’t been updated regularly.
For instance, on the Tourism Department website, the latest updates related to the department’s circulars was updated in 2022.
Similarly, on the website of the Power Development Department, they have uploaded the latest power curtailment schedule of 2021-2022.
The details about macdamisation of roads on Roads and Buildings Department website is of the financial year 2021-2022.
Same case is with various departments where they have not put information on their websites for months.
Similarly, there appears non-existent phone numbers on the official websites of various departments. “Most of the times when we dial these numbers available on websites, these are non-existent and we are not able to get the comments,” said a journalist.
The district development commissioners were also directed creation of WhatsApp groups. An official said a few DDCs have created the Whatsapp groups but could not continue due to their transfers. “The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration is very serious that the benefits of government schemes should reach the common people. Besides, the government has directed departments to ensure that people are aware about the developmental works being done in Jammu and Kashmir and websites are updated regularly,” the official added.
