Srinagar, Aug 26 : National Conference MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Wednesday questioned the repeated delays in expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers, saying governance was suffering as ministers were burdened with multiple portfolios.
Ruhullah said assurances regarding cabinet expansion had been made several times but had not materialised.
“The expansion was first talked about before Jantar Mantar, then after Jantar Mantar, then before August 15 and then after August 15,” he told KNS, questioning the repeated postponements.
The Srinagar MP said ministers were currently handling four to five departments each, which, he claimed, was affecting the functioning of the administration.
“If a minister leaves the secretariat, five departments come to a halt. People coming for work in different departments end up suffering because of one minister,” he said.
Ruhullah called for greater decentralisation of responsibilities, saying the distribution of portfolios among more ministers would improve governance and benefit people.
“Functioning suffers, governance suffers. The more departments are spread out, the better it is for people,” he said.
He also alleged that the administration had struggled to take even routine decisions.
“It has been two years, and you can understand that everything is not right,” Ruhullah said.
His remarks come amid speculation over an expansion or reshuffle of the J&K Council of Ministers and reports of differences within the ruling National Conference.
The Omar Abdullah-led government has been functioning with a limited number of ministers since taking office, with several key departments being handled by individual ministers.(KNS).
