Kashmir PHE Employees Association Chairman Raises Concerns Over Discrepancies in Implementation of Order No. 39
Sajad Ahmad Parray, Chairman of the Kashmir PHE (Public Health Engineering) Joint Employees Association, today held a press conference, expressing grave concern over the discrepancies and arbitrary actions surrounding the implementation of Order No. 39 JK (JSD) of 2021, issued under the 74th Constitutional Amendment by the Administrative Council.
The order, which mandates the transfer of specific Jal Shakti Department (PHE) divisions in Jammu & Kashmir to Municipal Corporations, includes the transfer of employees, funds, and infrastructure.
While the directive has been fully implemented in Jammu, the situation in Kashmir remains troubled, marked by manipulation, mismanagement, and legal complications. The matter is currently sub judice, with two cases pending before the Supreme Court, further complicating the challenges faced by employees and the operational integrity of the water supply system.
In response to the growing crisis, the government formed a high-level committee, headed by the Chief Secretary of J&K, tasked with assessing the issues affecting both employees and public services. Additionally, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department had directed the Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir, to provide a detailed report on the difficulties encountered by employees and the water supply system.
However, Sajad Ahmad Parray strongly condemned the obstructionist elements within the Chief Engineer’s office in Kashmir, accusing them of willfully disregarding Supreme Court orders, misleading senior officials, and prioritizing their own interests over the public’s welfare. Parray claimed that these actions were aimed at erasing the identity of the transferred divisions and disrupting the water supply system, which he believes is an attack on employee rights and a betrayal of public trust. He warned that such obstructions could render the 74th Constitutional Amendment meaningless.
During the press conference, Sajad Parray emphasized:
"Before any proposals are submitted to the government, officers and employee representatives of the transferred divisions must be consulted, and their concerns must be addressed."
He further warned: "We will not remain silent spectators while our rights and the integrity of the water supply system are threatened. If our demands continue to be ignored, we will be forced to hold a peaceful protest rally on February 27, 2025, from the Water Works Division Srinagar to the Chief Office. If corrective measures are not taken, we will be compelled to go on a complete work strike, and the Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir, will be held fully responsible for this disruption."
Parray also issued a direct appeal to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, Shri Shaleen Kabra (IAS), and the Municipal Commissioner of Srinagar, Dr. Owais Ahmad (IAS), urging them to personally intervene and ensure the protection of the Water Works Division Srinagar, the water supply system, and the livelihoods of the dedicated employees.
