Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said the development works being carried out by the government agencies should leave a tangible impact on the ground.Chairing a meeting convened here to review the progress of works in Urban Development sector, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the Municipal Committees of Udhampur, Chenani and Ramnagar to put in concerted efforts in creating durable assets for the people of their respective areas.MLA Udhampur, Pawan Kumar Gupta, MLA Chenani, Dina Nath Bhagat, MLA Ramnagar, R S Pathania, Administrative Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Hirdesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Neeraj Kumar and Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu, Soujanya Sharma attended the meeting.The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the 'Devika Rejuvenation Project’ and was informed that the project involves the development of Devaksthan and establishment of three Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) in the area. A sewerage network would also be developed under this project. Dr Singh also reviewed the status of Solid Waste Management projects, availability of street lights, community toilet complex, status of building permission cases and other development works being carried out by the Municipal Committees in district Udhampur.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur apprised the Deputy Chief Minister about the achievements registered by all the three MCs of the district. It was given out that 98.5 kanals of land at Tikri, West Mand has been identified for establishing a Solid Waste Management Project in the Udhampur Municipal Council. It was further informed that under IHHL, 512 beneficiaries have been identified while 141 persons have been identified under 'Housing for All' in the first phase.Responding to the issues raised by Legislators including shifting of bus stand to decongest the municipal areas, relocation of the rehris, development of proper Sewerage and Drainage system, construction of Community toilet complexes and others, Dr Singh directed the DC to identify alternative sites for dumping the waste till the completion of the Solid Waste Management Project. He also stressed on organizing mass awareness campaigns in the district regarding the importance of cleanliness.
Emphasizing on the completion of all the development works in the time -bound manner, Dr Singh said that maintaining the quality of works is equally important. Speaking on the issue of pending Building Permission cases lying with the municipalities, Dr Singh said the process of issuing building permission cases should be expedited.He further asked the DC to prepare a plan for the decongestion of the Udhampur town and asked him to relocate all the rehris to a suitable site after their proper registration.Deputy Chief Minister also inaugurated Devika Municipal Hall at Udhampur during his visit.
Among others, ADDC Arvind Sharma, ADC Angrez Singh Rana, ACD Joginder Singh Rai, SE UEED, CEO MC Udhampur Santosh Kotwal, concerned senior officers besides other district officers were present in the meeting.Later, the Deputy Chief Minister convened a meeting at Reasi to review the ongoing and proposed works of Municipal Committees of District Reasi.Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda, Administrative Secretary, Housing and Urban Development department, Hirdesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Ravinder Kumar, Director ULBs, Jammu Soujanya Sharma were present in the meeting.
Dr Singh reviewed the various development works carried out by the MC Reasi including construction of cattle shed near Sulla Park, construction of shops at Bus Stand, construction of Ist floor office building of Municipal Committee office.Detailed deliberations were also held on certain issues raised by Katra Development Authority which include framing of new recruitment rules for the recruitment of staff, office accommodation, construction of Sulabh toilet complexes besides beautification and providing other facilities on railway road.Dr Singh directed the officers to ensure early completion of all developmental projects in the district so that people get the requisite modern housing facilities.The Deputy Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner Reasi to undertake necessary sanitation measures especially in view of the prevailing situation. He said that people should be actively involved in the execution and implementation of various programs especially the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ as it has tremendous scope of ensuring the overall cleanliness of the town. He also asked for undertaking a massive campaign for educating the people about the importance of this SBM.During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner gave an overview of the measures undertaken for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation undertaken by Reasi and Katra Municipal Committees and Katra Development Authority.