Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development, Ms Asiea Naqash today informed the Legislative Assembly that government has provided Rs 4 crore for improvement of civic amenities like the construction of lanes/drains in 36 Urban Local Bodies of Jammu division under State Capex Budget 2017-18.He was replying to a Calling Attention Notice of Mr Rajiv Jasrotia tabled to “draw the attention of the government towards non-construction of lanes and drains in Nagri Parole Municipal Committee of Kathua District”The Minister said that an amount of Rs 28 lakh for Municipal Committee Kathua and Rs 8 lakh for Nagri Parole Municipal Committee was earmarked for undertaking the civic works during the current fiscal. She said that in Kathua nine works were taken up of which five have been completed at a cost of Rs 21.66 lakh. She said in Nagri-Parole seven works have been undertaken, of which five were completed at a cost of Rs 26.61 lakh.
The Minister further informed that in addition to the approved Annual Action Plan, an amount of Rs 72 lakh for Municipal Kathua and Rs 20 lakh for Nagri Parole Municipal Committee have been released for execution of emergent nature of works under “Emergent Public Demand (EPD.”She further informed that additional Rs 20.00 lakh was sanctioned by the Chief Minister for the MC during her tour to Kathua against which Rs 10 lakh stands released. The Minister further informed that the construction of civic works including lanes and drains are being carried out in the towns under Urban Development Sector of State Capex Budget scheme -“Integrated Development of Medium Towns on year to year basis. ”She said the annual allocations approved under the scheme are conveyed to the implementing agencies viz Director Local Bodies Kashmir and Jammu for further allocation to the respective Municipal Committees.