It is heartening to witness the bustling crowds at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, a testament to the faith people place in their elected government to address their grievances and alleviate their hardships. The Secretariat, as the nerve center of governance, symbolizes hope for countless citizens seeking redressal for their concerns. However, the experience of navigating this vital institution is marred by outdated security practices and procedural inefficiencies that undermine the very purpose of public access.
One of the most glaring issues is the redundant frisking process, with checks conducted at multiple points—sometimes as many as two within the same vicinity. This not only delays visitors but also frustrates them, eroding the goodwill the government seeks to foster. Compounding this is the chaotic system of issuing and collecting passes. Passes are distributed at one point, only to be collected by another police party shortly after, creating confusion and wasting precious time. Such practices, rooted in outdated security protocols, seem misaligned with the modern, citizen-centric governance the administration aspires to deliver.
The government’s attempt to modernize access through the online portal https://swagatam.gov.in/public/Index.aspx is a step in the right direction, but its impact remains negligible. The website suffers from a lack of awareness due to poor advertisement and a user-unfriendly interface that discourages adoption. If the goal is to streamline processes and reduce physical bottlenecks, why has this digital solution not been prioritized, promoted, and made accessible to all?
Another pressing concern is the restricted access for the common public, limited to post-2 PM hours. Even then, visitors lose nearly an hour to frisking and redundant checks, leaving them with little time to address their actual concerns. This raises a fundamental question: why is the government not doing more to ease the burden on its citizens? The SSP Security and other relevant authorities must reevaluate these practices, which waste both time and manpower. Modern technology and smarter security protocols can achieve the same objectives without subjecting people to unnecessary delays.
The Civil Secretariat should be a beacon of efficiency and accessibility, not a symbol of bureaucratic hurdles. The government must act swiftly to simplify entry procedures, leverage digital tools like the Swagatam portal, and ensure user-friendly access for all. It is time to align security measures with the needs of the people, ensuring that hope, not frustration, defines their experience at the Secretariat. Let the administration honor the trust of its citizens by making governance truly approachable and effective.
