Despite the central government’s push for e-governance and transparency, many government portals in Jammu & Kashmir are still plagued by outdated information, leaving citizens grappling with delayed or incorrect details. This lack of up-to-date content has made it difficult for the public to connect with relevant authorities, especially when seeking crucial services or clarifications.
A growing number of citizens have voiced their frustration over the persistent issue of outdated and unreliable information on official portals. “We depend on these websites for official updates and services, but the outdated content only hinders our ability to stay informed and take timely action,” said Bashir Ahmed, a local businessman. His sentiment is echoed by many others across the region.
“If I try to apply for a marriage certificate, the process becomes frustrating because of the unclear and outdated instructions on the portal,” said Ifrah, a resident of Hyderpora. “The government has invested heavily in digitising services, but if these portals are not regularly updated, the entire effort becomes pointless.”
Adding to the confusion, many of the contact numbers listed on these portals are either non-functional or go unanswered. In some cases, even the names of officials mentioned are outdated, reflecting positions that no longer exist or have been reassigned. As a result, citizens are often left with no option but to visit government offices in person.
“The contact numbers listed either don’t work, or no one answers them. It feels like these websites are simply for show,” said Shehriyar, another frustrated resident.
“The concept behind digital governance was to make information and services more accessible. But now, it only worsens the trust deficit,” said Latif Ahmed from Barzulla. “Despite the promise of a streamlined online system, we are still forced to visit government offices physically.”
Fahad, a student, shared his experience, saying, “I tried reaching the Higher Education Department multiple times through the contact numbers listed on their website, but received no response. This lack of communication is particularly frustrating when there is no clarity about whom to approach for official matters.”
Echoing similar concerns, Hanief from Lal Chowk remarked, “It’s incredibly frustrating trying to get in touch with someone when the contact details are outdated. These websites should help us, but instead, they cause more confusion.”
While citizens continue to face these obstacles, government officials attribute the problem to a shortage of staff in the IT departments responsible for maintaining these portals. Insufficient manpower and technical support have hindered timely updates and accurate content.
“The IT department is under-staffed, which leads to delays in portal maintenance and updates. We are aware of the issue and are working on finding solutions,” said an official from one of the departments, who requested anonymity.
When approached for comment, Devinder Paul Singh, Managing Director of the J&K IT and Infrastructure Development Company, Department of Industries and Commerce, declined to comment on the outdated content on the department’s portal and redirected inquiries to the Information Technology Department.
An official from the IT Department, who also requested anonymity, acknowledged the issue, saying, “We regularly send notices to various departments about security audits, updates, and essential communications. It is ultimately the responsibility of the respective departments to ensure their content is updated.”
Though Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress in integrating technology into governance, these setbacks highlight significant gaps that need urgent attention. Until these issues are resolved, citizens will continue to struggle with accessing timely information and essential services.
