Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra on Friday criticized the Union Territory’s current governance structure, saying the existing “dual control” system is causing confusion and chaos. He emphasized that until this system is reformed, administrative disorder is likely to persist.
However, Karra noted that efforts are underway to address the issues in the dual control arrangement, and authorities are expected to announce changes soon.
“I have been saying from the beginning that the problem will continue until this system ends. Until then, confusion and chaos are inevitable. From what I understand, the current hitches are being addressed, and an official announcement is expected shortly,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
Karra highlighted that the problems are further compounded by the lack of accountability of senior bureaucrats — IAS, IFS, and IPS officers — who remain directly under the Lieutenant Governor rather than the elected state government.
“The accountability of these officers to the state government is minimal. Once statehood is restored, their responsibilities and accountability will fully come under the state administration,” he said, adding that this change would resolve much of the present confusion.
Commenting on recent disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, Karra dismissed claims that the damaged stretches could be repaired in a few days, warning that restoration would take “months, not 3–4 days.”
“The perception that it can be repaired in 3–4 days is incorrect. The damage extends over kilometers, not just 300 meters. While it may be patchy, it covers several kilometers,” he explained, stressing that complete repairs would require considerable time and resources.
Karra also disagreed with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s suggestion that the central government should hand over control of the Srinagar-Jammu highway to the state government if it could not reopen it.
“What Omar sahib said, I personally do not agree with. He suggested that our engineers can fix it, but the state government does not have the necessary infrastructure. The National Highway Authority and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have the manpower, machinery, and expertise for such roads. The state government is not equipped to handle it,” Karra remarked.
