IAS and KAS officials' arbitrariness

Government of JK buildings

When a government employee asks a citizen to meet one officer, then another, then a third, and finally a fourth officer in different offices, it usually reflects the complicated nature of bureaucracy and administrative functioning. In many cases, the citizen feels trapped in a cycle of endless referrals without receiving a clear answer, solution, or written decision. This experience is common in many public offices and is often described as “running from pillar to post.”

In Jammu and Kashmir, as in many administrative systems, government departments are divided into different branches and levels of authority. One officer may deal with files, another with legal matters, another with finance, and another with approvals. Therefore, a citizen may genuinely need to meet multiple officials before a matter is resolved. However, repeated referrals without progress often create suspicion that officials are either avoiding responsibility or intentionally delaying action.

Sometimes this behavior means that no officer wants to take a final decision. Officials may fear accountability, complaints, audits, or future legal problems. Instead of giving a clear answer, they pass the citizen to another desk or office. This process allows responsibility to become unclear, making it difficult for the public to identify who is actually accountable for solving the issue.

In some situations, such repeated movement from office to office may also be a tactic of administrative exhaustion. Citizens become mentally tired, financially burdened, and emotionally frustrated after spending days visiting offices, waiting in queues, and repeating the same explanation again and again. For elderly people, poor citizens, or those living in distant rural areas, this can become especially difficult.

This situation is commonly associated with what people call “red tape,” a term used for excessive bureaucracy, unnecessary paperwork, and delays in public administration. Citizens often feel that their time and dignity are ignored when they are repeatedly redirected without receiving proper guidance or written communication.

However, not every referral is dishonest or malicious. In many cases, lower-level employees simply do not have the authority to approve applications or make policy decisions. Government procedures may genuinely require signatures, reports, verifications, or recommendations from several departments before a final order can be issued.

The best way for citizens to handle such situations is through documentation and written communication. Applications should always be submitted in writing, and receipt or diary numbers should be obtained. Citizens should request written replies instead of relying only on verbal instructions. Laws such as the Right to Information Act can help identify which officer is responsible, where the file is pending, and why delays are occurring.

Ultimately, when a citizen is repeatedly sent from one officer to another without resolution, it often indicates inefficiency, lack of accountability, administrative confusion, or unwillingness to act decisively. Such experiences reduce public trust in government institutions and increase the demand for transparency, responsibility, and administrative reform.