Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said the government has embarked on a comprehensive plan to ensure that the people get quality civic amenities at par with the other developed states.Deputy Chief Minister was addressing officers during a review meeting of the Municipal Committees of district Kathua at Conference hall of DC Office complex at Kathua today.Legislators, Rajeev Jasrotia and Kuldeep Raj, Commissioner/Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Hirdesh Kumar, DC Kathua, Ramesh Kumar, Director ULB, Jammu, Soujanya Sharma besides other officers were present on the occasion.The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to ensure that the people of the area get quality services vis-à-vis civic amenities and they should not face any inconvenience. He said the officers should work in synergized manner to ensure that the bottlenecks if any, are removed and effective deliverance is ensured.Dy CM impressed upon the officers to make judicious use of funds for the implementation of various schemes launched by the Government so that the benefits of such schemes percolate down to the needy. He also called upon the officers of these Committees to take concrete steps to make the functioning of these bodies more vibrant and result-oriented so that they become self-sustained. He asked them to explore possibilities to develop income generating assets for the smooth functioning of various Municipal Committees and make them financially independent.The Dy CM directed the concerned that comprehensive plan should be devised keeping in mind all the aspects and with active participation of all the stakeholders to make the bodies more vibrant and result-oriented so that they become self reliant. He also added that Lakhanpur needs focused attention as it is gateway to Jammu and Kashmir and emphasis should be laid on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around Lakhanpur besides beautification and providing better amenities to the tourists/passengers.
While reviewing the functioning of Municipal Committees of Kathua, Lakhanpur, Basholi, Parole, Hiranagar and Billawar the Deputy Chief Minister discussed various issues pertaining to establishment of solid waste management plant, construction of sanitary complexes, creation of parking lots, extension of town halls, creation of revenue generating assets, identification of land for expansion of bus stands, installation of Street lights, dust bins and identification of garbage collection points.During the meeting, Dr Singh was apprised about the assets created by the Urban Local Bodies of the district along with the status of men and machinery involved in sanitation works of the towns.Deputy Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar apprised that a total of 119 Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small & Medium towns (UIDSSMT) works amounting Rs 1484 lacs has been taken up of which 116 nos of work has been completed. Under IDMT a total of 34 works amounting to Rs 85.45 lakhs have been taken up by urban local bodies of the district. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) against the target of 11 toilet complex, so far 5 toilet complexes have been constructed in the district. Under IHHL scheme a total of 2141 units are taken up against the target of 4283 units. While discussing the progress of setting up Solid Waste Management Treatment Plant (SWMTP), it was apprised that 3 such plants in MC Kathua, MC Basohli and MC Billawar will be set up for which land has been identified and case were forwarded to Director Local Bodies and Pollution Control Board.The meeting also highlighted demand of dedicated parking areas at Mukherjee Chowk and other congested areas, streetlights on uncovered areas, provision of cattle pond and vehicles such as Auto, tipper, compactor and cattle catcher was chiefly highlighted in the meeting.Earlier in the day Dy CM attended a function on good governance day at the auditorium of GDC Kathua where he was the chief guest.On the occasion Dy CM said that good governance is the purview of every Govt. department and its deliverance is possible only when co-ordination develops between people and various departments. He also said that our democracy is the biggest democracy of the world and the onus of good governance lies on the public servants. Good governance should become a habit not a ritual, Dr Singh said and directed DC Kathua to call the explanation of all the employees who were not present during pledge on good governance.
“21st century belongs to Asia and good governance is the only way to achieve this goal,” Nirmal Singh said. He added that all the central sponsored schemes should be highlighted and ensured that the benefit should reach the beneficiary. He further stated that system has to work not the individual for effective deliverance of good governance.Legislators Rajeev Jasrotia and Kuldeep Raj while highlighting the importance of good governance said that democracy`s key role is to deliver essential public services effectively. These services or public goods mostly relate to the rights of citizens viz. Shelter, food, health, education and security which are being provided by various departments like revenue, education, health, rural development and police.He also laid foundation stone of Inter State Bus Terminal, Kathua which will help the commuters and will be completed with a cost of Rs. 17 crore.The Dy CM also inspected the old buildings of Govt. offices near Mukherjee Chowk, Kathua and directed the concerned that these buildings should be shifted to other locations temporarily and in place of these Govt. offices new structure should be designed/planned so that proper commercial utilization of these assets be made feasible.