The absence of Sub District Magistrate (SDM) at Lolab has come under severe criticism with the local people, alleging it to be a reason of immense hardships.According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an sources said that all the public works have come to grinding halt after the erstwhile SDM Lolab was transferred, thus leaving the people to lurch at large.An official said that the erstwhile SDM was transferred some two months ago but no one has been sent to look after the office yet, thus affecting the functioning of the areas falling under the jurisdiction.Sources told—KNO that due to absence of SDM, besides leaving the people to lurch, the official work has also got affected.They said that all the works that need sanction from Sub Divisional Magistrate are pending, people visit here for the want of, Dependent Certificate, Verifications, SRO cases documentation, Revenue Documentation, Backward Documents (RBI) and all other necessary works are returning disappointed.“We have many cases and files pending here for long now. Some have to be checked and given final nod but the absence of SDM has almost made us handicapped,” the official at SDM’s office said.Meanwhile, the residents appealed higher ups to intervene into the matter so that people here could heave a sigh of relief—(KNO)