Minister for Housing and Urban Development Department, Sat Sharma today directed officers to ensure that the various developmental initiatives being undertaken by the government in the housing and urban development sector are completed within the stipulated time involving proper utilization of funds so that the developmental landscape of the State gets the requisite fillip.The Minister was speaking at the Board of Directors meeting of J&K Housing Board, Srinagar and Jammu Development Authorities and J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) here today.The meetings were also attended by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Asiea Naqash, Financial Commissioner, Housing and Urban Development Department K.B Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Finance Department Naveen Choudhary, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Commissioner/Secretary R&B, Secretary tourism, Vice Chairmen of JDA, SDA, JK LAWDA, MD Housing Board, Commissioners JMC,SMC, Deputy Commissioners Jammu, Srinagar, Chief Town Planners Jammu , Kashmir , Chief Engineer UEED and others senior officers.While reviewing the functioning of the development authorities of Jammu and Srinagar, the Minister directed for expediting the pace of the work on the various initiatives being taken by them so that they are completed in a time-bound manner. He said the officers should work in close synergy with different other departments as well as in order to ensure the bottlenecks if any are removed and the requisite feedback is also obtained about the status of implementation as well as the effect on the ground level.
Sat Sharma said that the role of these authorities is of pivotal nature as they are entrusted with the mandate of developing the twin capital cities of the State and they should religiously discharge their duty.He said that they should ensure that the people of the State get quality facilities of modern housing needs and they should also dovetail their activities with similar other departments as well.The Minister said that the authorities should also maintain a regular inventory of their assets and should religiously ensure that the encroachments being done on their proprieties are removed. He said that they should also ensure that they are in a position to provide the government institutions with adequate land so that they can construct offices and related things there.Vice Chairman (VC) Jammu Development Authority was directed to get the vacant lands protected by constructing proper compound walls so that the same is saved from the threats of any encroachment. The Minister directed the VC that in the next BOD Meeting he should come up with a firm proposal for carving out at least two suitable housing colonies in and around Jammu City.The Minister also directed VC SDA that the allotment of SDA land for institutional purposes should be done after adopting due procedure of law like transfer of title and payment of compensation to the SDA.While speaking in the Board meeting of the J&K Housing Board, the Minister directed the MD for coming up with a comprehensive proposals by which they can establish more housing colonies for the people of the state so that their housing needs can be catered by providing them with quality housing facilities at an affordable rates. He said they should pool their activities and come up with concrete proposals of augmenting the government’s endeavors to ensure that the masses are provided with well laid housing colonies replete with all the basic necessities in different districts of the state.Sat Sharma also called for speedy implementation of various other developmental works being undertaken by the board. He said that they should ensure timely completion of these so that the cost escalation factor is checked and also the benefit percolates to the targeted beneficiaries.While addressing the Board of Directors meeting of JK LAWDA, the Minister termed Dal Lake as the crown of the state and called on the officers to expedite the conservation work on the lake so that the lake continues to remain point of attraction for the tourists. He stressed on prioritizing works related to upgrading sewerage network around Dal lake and the sewer lines at Kohnakhan and adjoining areas.
The Minister directed VC LAWDA to procure the latest machinery to expedite the work of cleaning Dal Lake and procure latest machinery to expedite the work.Sat Sharma said that the Dal lake is one of the major iconic landmarks of the state and we should all collectively work to ensure that it is conserved in a scientific way in consonance with the environmental parameters. He said that the authority should work in a tireless manner so that the funds being earmarked under the conservation component are utilized in a judicious manner and conservation of this world famous lake and other water bodies is done.The Meetings also deliberated on the provision of extending the benefit of seventh pay commission to the employees of the Developmental authorities, Housing Board and autonomous bodies. It was decided that the government would extend the same to them very soon after the issuance of notification of PSUs by the Finance department.The issue of extending the SRO 460 issued by the labour department in respect of the casual labours of JK LAWDA was also approved. It was decided in the meeting that all the developmental authorities and other wings of housing department will prepare a roadmap and place it before the next BOD meeting to be held after one month.