SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged a significant reduction in field staff in the Jal Shakti Department following the retirement of employees, including in Hydraulic Division Uri, while ruling out contractual engagement of ITI-trained local youth to supplement the workforce.
In a written reply to Un-Starred D. No. 1/6/148 tabled by Uri MLA Sajjad Shafi, the department said the retirement of field employees over the years had reduced its sanctioned and existing manpower.
The department said staff shortages were assessed periodically and alternative arrangements were made wherever gaps were identified. It added that available personnel were being rationalised and deployed according to the operational requirements of different water supply schemes.
Interim arrangements have also been put in place to maintain the operation and upkeep of water supply schemes, the government said.
The department said it was taking measures to prevent the shortage of field staff from affecting the functioning of water supply schemes and delivery of essential services.
However, in response to a question on whether ITI-trained local youth would be engaged on a contractual basis until regular recruitment against vacant posts, the government replied in the negative.
The reply did not specify any timeline for filling the vacant field staff positions through regular recruitment.
