Govt to employees: attend R-day functions or face action

Srinagar, Jan 20: Government has threatened its employees with disciplinary action for not attending the January-26 celebrations in the state.
The main function would be held at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, where Governor, N N Vohra, would take salute of the march past.
In Kashmir, for the first time, the main celebrations in Kashmir would be held at SK Cricket Stadium at Sonawar instead of Bakshi Stadium.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, has directed all government employees stationed in Srinagar to attend the function as a “part of their official duties”.
“All heads of departments and CEOs of public sector undertakings shall ensure their presence, besides participation of all employees subordinate to them,” Khan said in an order.
The employees have been warned to be present in the stadium. Any departure “shall be seriously viewed as dereliction of duties and disobedience of government instructions”.
Divisional Commissioner has directed DC Srinagar to nominate one senior officer to check the attendance of employees on the day and submit report on the next day to his office.
An official at the Divisional Commissioner’s office said the directions have been issued to ensure “maximum” participation of employees in the R-day functions in the state.
“Employees have been directed to attend functions in their respective districts,” he said.
The official said that directives have been issued in view of the past experience when very less employees would attend the R-day functions.
“The separatists are also asking employees to stay away from January 26 celebrations while government wants maximum participation of people for such functions and has directed employees that it is part of their duties,” he added.
Meanwhile, security has been intensified in and around SK cricket stadium in Srinagar.
The police, CRPF have set up temporary mobile check-points at various places in Srinagar to maintain vigil on the movement of the people.
In view of change in venue, Khan has directed the police department and other security agencies to ensure “adequate and fool proof security” arrangements in and around the venue.
“In Srinagar security should be tightened more than before owing to change of venue this time around,” a police official said.
The police department has been directed to make a “comprehensive” security plan.
The police official said that security would be strengthened in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, Rajbagh, Dal Gate, and Sonawar area.
“The security agencies will take extra measures this time in view change in venue and December last year fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp,” the official said.
It has been decided to utilise three Pawan Hans helicopters for flower showing and to keep surveillance on the venue.