The Estimates Committee of J&K Legislative Assembly today recommended enhancement in budget allocation to the Estates Department for maintaining the infrastructure of the department including repair and renovation work of the existing property.The Committee met today under the Chairmanship of MLA, Mohammad Ashraf Mir to discuss the present status of accommodation being provided to the Ministers, Legislators, Bureaucrats and various categories of employees in the State.Legislators, Mubark Gul, Ch. Sukhandan Kumar, Vikar Rasool Wani, Abdul Majid Wani, Abdul Majid Paddar, R S Pathania, Shakti Raj Parihar and Yawar Ahmed Mir attended the meeting and gave their valuable suggestions to ensure suitable accommodation as per the protocol provided to them in a categorization manner.The Committee expressed displeasure over the non-suitable accommodation to the legislators and asked for construction of new quarters including all requisite facilities besides converting old MLA hostel building as guest houses for the legislators, former legislators at Jammu and Srinagar so that they can avail accommodation facilities during their visit at both the capital of the State. The Committee also stressed for providing adequate accommodation to PROs of Legislators.
The committee recommended that increase in the budget allocation of the Estates department for maintenance/repairs of old building as per its requirements. The committee also stressed for streamline the e-tendering process.The Estates department was asked to demolish old buildings in Srinagar and Jammu to construct new quarters to meet out the shortage and requirement of the MLAs.The Committee also recommended providing rest rooms to the legislators during their visit at Civil Secretariat.Director Estates, Tassaduq Jeelani briefed the Committee about the action taken by the department on queries raised by the Committee and said that the department is working on the plan to construct new quarters for the Ministers, Legislators, Bureaucrats and employees in both the capital cities of the States.
He also informed about the issues and difficulties faced by the department including shortage of funds to repair the building and quarters, besides other activities of the department. He assured the Committee that issues raised by the committee will be taken up with the concerned quarters for their early settlement.Special Secretary, Legislative Assembly R L Sharma, besides senior officers of Estates Department and Assembly Secretariat present in the meeting.