FCS&CA trapped in self-created crisis

Srinagar, Dec 16: The Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Kashmir, is facing a crisis due to a shortage of staff.

However, the gravity of the situation appears to stem from the inefficiency of departmental officials.

For instance, numerous Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) positions remain vacant in the Kashmir division, severely hampering the department’s efficiency.

Despite a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) order issued over a month ago, which promoted 73 storekeepers to TSOs, these officials are yet to be assigned their new postings.

The promotion order vide No 1382-DFCS&CAK of 2024 dated November 14, 2024, states that the promoted officers’ grade would only be released after they assume charge of their new postings.

However, the department has failed to issue corresponding posting orders, leaving the promoted officials in limbo.

As per the order, “As recommended by the Department Promotion Committee (DPC) in its meeting held on October 3, 2024, sanction is hereby accorded to the promotion of storekeepers, as detailed in the annexure to this order, to the posts of Tehsil Supply Officers. The grade of the promoted officials will be released only after joining and reporting to the new places of posting, failing which they will forgo the promotion,” reads the order.

Sources within FCS&CA allege that internal hurdles were the primary reason for the delay.

It is suspected that certain officials were deliberately obstructing the process of filling these vacant posts, further worsening the department’s inefficiency.

This delay has had a significant impact on all districts in the Kashmir division, including north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara districts, where many TSO posts remain unfilled.

In Kupwara district, of the 20 sanctioned TSO posts, only six are filled by designated TSOs.

The remaining 14 posts are being managed by storekeepers. Similarly, in Baramulla district, of the 18 TSO posts, only six are occupied by designated officers, with the remaining 12 being handled by storekeepers.

This situation prevails across the Kashmir division, severely affecting the department’s operations.

The failure to deploy newly-promoted officers has crippled the department’s efficiency.

Storekeepers, who lack the requisite training and administrative authority of TSOs, are overburdened with managing supply chain operations.

This has led to delays, mismanagement, and dissatisfaction among consumers who rely on the department for essential commodities.

Promoted officials have expressed deep disappointment, questioning why the department has delayed issuing posting orders and why storekeepers were still being asked to perform TSO duties despite the promotions. “It has been a month since we were promoted as TSOs,” said a storekeeper. “Why we are being deprived of our new postings is something we cannot understand.”

The department’s delay not only violates the DPC order but also undermines the morale of the promoted officers, who are being denied their rightful positions.