Taking a strong note of non-availability of basic amenities in various shopping malls in the Srinagar city, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has cracked whip and warned action if these amenities are not restored within four days.Following a communication from Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, Coordinator J&K Government’s Grievance Cell who had received various complaints regarding the same had expressed his anguish regarding the absence of basic amenities like toilet facilities, drinking water and parking facilities in shopping complexes in the state, SMC had deputed squads to inspects malls in the city for mandatory availability of amenities like gender specific washrooms, clean drinking water, proper parking space, fire extinguishers etc.However the inspections conducted yesterday revealed that many Malls and Shopping complexes didn’t have such amenities. Now, SMC has issued notices to 4 prominent city malls asking them to restore specified amenities within 4 days or face action as per law.
Pertinent to mention that while taking a strong note of the complaints and reports regarding the lack of basic facilities at Shopping Complexes and business establishments in various parts of the state, The Jammu & Kashmir Government’s Grievance Cell had asked the Commissioners of the twin Municipal Corporations of Jammu & Srinagar as well as the Directors of the Urban Local Bodies of both the Divisions to furnish a detailed report regarding the availability of functional common but segregated washrooms and drinking water facilities in the Shopping complexes in their respective jurisdictions.The said officials had also been directed to immediately serve notices to all shopping complex owners whose establishments lack functional and gender separate washrooms along with drinking water facilities for the use of general public, to restore or construct the same within three weeks. Strict action as per law had been sought in case of non-compliance of these orders by any shopping complex or business establishments.