Governance in J-K hit due to 'musical chair' of portfolios: NC

Opposition National Conference (NC) today said the governance in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a hit as a game of "musical chair" was being played over the choice of portfolio in the PDP-BJP government in the state.
The party also held Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti "responsible" for the chaos, saying the CM cannot play the game at the cost of common man, who is being deprived of the governance even though there is an elected government in office.
"The basic governance has taken a hit in the state because of the game of musical chair that is being played over the choice of portfolio even as the alliance has been in power since two years. Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) is responsible for this chaos and the responsibility ends with her," NC state spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said in a statement here.

He was referring to the resignation of two PDP ministers after a minor reshuffle in the Cabinet.
Basharat Bukhari and Imran Reza Ansari tendered their resignations following the reshuffle, as they were reportedly unhappy over the portfolio given to them.
Bukhari resumed his duties as a minister after meeting Mehbooba, while Ansari stayed away and is currently out of the country on a pilgrimage.

The NC Spokesperson said the key departments had seen a number of ministers within a short duration of two years, and "this erratic behaviour has led to a chaos and confusion, as the ministers had tried to implement their own strategy and vision which often comes at the cost of productivity and continuity in existing and ongoing works.

For instance, he said, the Public Works Department (PWD) had seen three ministers within two years.
"Projects and their implementation have taken a direct hit. The Chief Minister is the elected head of the government and she cannot wreak havoc with the State's institutions and administrative machinery by allowing PDP's never-ending strife and issues to define how the government functions," he said.
Mattu alleged when a minister takes over the charge, he turns everything upside down under the fig leaf of reform, while another minister promises the moon in the horticulture sector only to be replaced by a minister who refuses to take charge of a portfolio that is eventually foisted on him.

"Another Cabinet Minister has tendered his resignation and left the country without the people knowing if his resignation has been accepted or rejected and what happens of the departments he heads.
Same is the case with the ministries being held by PDP's alliance partner, the BJP.
"The Health Ministry, for instance, has suffered immensely due to lack of continuity and stability. This has adversely affected the functioning of our hospitals and public health infrastructure which amount to playing with the lives of common people," the NC spokesperson said.