The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today directed all Deputy Commissioners of the valley including Ladakh districts and Director Urban Local Bodies (ULB) to involve every newly elected municipal member in ground level development which will strengthen the grass root level democracy and take the developmental scenario to new heights across Kashmir Division.He said that such a process will make the progressive growth visible to the locals because people have huge expectations from the newly elected municipal members.The Divisional Commissioner made these directions while reviewing the progress of Urban Development Department.It was informed that 365 newly elected Municipal members have taken oath for the Municipal Councils & Committees across the valley including Leh and Kargil districts.The Department had received Rs 7.05 crores till date for the development of areas which are under the Municipal Councils & Committees.
The Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners and Director Urban Local Bodies (ULB) to hold district wise meetings with the newly elected municipal members and aware them about the Purpose of Municipalities, Legislative Framework, Oath of office, Council code of ethics, role of council, duties & responsibilities of council & Individual council members, role & duties of administration & administrator, Employee code of conduct, council’s role in financial management, budget deliberations, monitoring Municipal finances, Stewardship of Assets, fair decision making, Quorum, Council Meeting Procedures Bylaw, Resources, Minutes, Matters that Must be Dealt with by Council, Matters that Require Public Notice Before Being Dealt with by Council, Personal Immunity& Liability, Redressal of Citizen complaints and other prescribed procedures so that effective mechanism shall be made at the grass root level for the benefit of large chunk of urban population.
He also directed all Executive Officers of ULB to prepare a plan in consultation with the newly elected Municipal members like installation of lights, repair of lanes and drains, cleanliness drive in streets and water bodies, anti-polythene drive, income generating capabilities and other developmental works in each and every area so that grass root development should start effectively, which is the ultimate goal of every municipal committee.Progress in SBM, AMRUT schemes and other developmental works of ULB were also discussed in threadbare in the meeting.The Divisional Commissioner stressed the officers to expedite the developmental works in a stipulated time for the benefit of urban population.Director Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Farooq Ahmad Rather, Principal Private Secretary to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Khanday, all Executive officers of Municipal Committees and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.