||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder SinghMay 16, 2024 ||

The Red Cross Society of Jammu and Kashmir has not implemented new rules passed by Parliament nearly two years ago, leaving district administration to continue operating under outdated structures. Despite elections in some districts, significant bureaucratic delays have hindered the transition to the new, civil society-led model. The situation demands urgent intervention from the Lieutenant Governor to uphold the dignity of the reforms and revitalize Red Cross activities.

Nearly two years after adopting new Red Cross rules passed by both houses of Parliament, Jammu and Kashmir’s Red Cross Society remains mired in bureaucratic inertia. Despite being officially adopted at a State Managing Committee Meeting chaired by Hon’ble Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar on May 27, 2022, these reforms have yet to be implemented across the region.

The delay is starkly evident at the district level. Under the new regulations, the responsibility of chairing district Red Cross societies was shifted from government officials to civil society members. However, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) continue to serve as chairpersons, and former Bureacrat appointed as General Secretary through Govt. Order leaving the Red Cross’s activities in jeopardy.

**The Legislative Backdrop**

The new rules were meticulously crafted to enhance the Red Cross’s effectiveness and accountability. They stipulate that all Red Cross affairs be managed by elected members from civil society, eschewing government officers who have numerous other duties. These changes are crucial for a transparent, accountable, and vibrant Red Cross organization that adheres to its seven fundamental principles.

Despite the clear directives, 21 months have passed without substantial progress. Even the unlawful appointment of a General Secretary on June 1, 2023, has not catalyzed the necessary changes. The DCs’ continued administrative control has rendered the Red Cross virtually defunct in many districts, with minimal welfare activities visible on the ground.

**Elections in Limbo**

The new rules demand elections at the district level to form a managing committee of ten elected members. These members are to further elect office-bearers and appoint a secretary. In Jammu district, elections were conducted under the supervision of the Returning Officer, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), resulting in the unopposed election of ten committee members on July 20, 2023. Yet, despite completing all necessary formalities, including submitting authorized signatures to banks for account operations, the newly elected team has not been allowed to take charge by the General Secretary Rohit Khajuria appointed by the JK UT administration purely violating the Red Cross norms.

**Appeal for High-Level Intervention**

The newly elected members have repeatedly sought to assume their roles, facing consistent bureaucratic delays. Their appeals for meetings and formal requests for administrative transitions have been met with silence or unfulfilled promises. The team has now called for the intervention of Lt. Governor Sinha, who is also the President of the J&K Red Cross Society, to uphold the Parliament’s mandate and facilitate the handover of responsibilities to the newly elected team.

**The Way Forward**

The team has proposed an action plan to revive Red Cross activities throughout the Union Territory, emphasizing a collaboration with government agencies and other organizations without financial burdens on the government. Their vision aligns with the welfare mission of the central and UT governments, aiming to extend aid to the needy, sick, and suffering, echoing the broader goals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

The urgency of this transition cannot be overstated. The Red Cross’s mission to alleviate human suffering is hampered by administrative paralysis. Enabling the elected teams to function is not only a legal necessity but a moral imperative to ensure that the organization can fulfill its humanitarian objectives effectively.

The failure to implement these reforms in Jammu and Kashmir undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that the new rules aim to establish. Immediate action from the highest levels of the UT administration is essential to honor the legislative changes and reinvigorate the Red Cross’s critical work in the region.