The House Committee on Estimates today convened a meeting at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar to review functioning of the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) and Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Departments. The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairperson Shamim Firdaus, which was attended by the members including Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Chander Prakash Ganga, Gharu Ram Bhagat, and Pyare Lal Sharma.
Among senior officials who attended the meeting were Commissioner Secretary H&UD, Mandeep Kour; Commissioner Secretary RD&PR, Babila Rakwal; Director General Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra; Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Fayaz A. Lone; Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandita; Vice Chairpersons of LCMA and SDA; MD JKHB, MD JKRLM; Director PR; Commissioners of SMC and JMC; Director ULB; CEO IWMP; CE SSCL and other concerned officers and officials.
The Chairperson stressed the need for effective implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission, particularly in rural areas. She directed the concerned officers to ensure daily garbage collection, scientific segregation and timely disposal to maintain effective sanitation across all villages.
To facilitate holistic development in rural and urban areas, the Chairperson emphasized involving public representatives (MLAs) in planning and execution. She also underscored the urgent need for construction of Panchayat Ghars in all panchayat halqas, currently with no such infrastructural facilities.
The Committee strongly called for conservation of water bodies, including Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes. It directed for immediate removal of encroachments, particularly in the Brarinambal area of Srinagar. The officers were further instructed to take tangible steps for rejuvenation and restoration of clogged springs across Jammu and Kashmir and submit detailed reports on restoration of defunct ones.
Addressing the urban concerns, the Chairperson highlighted the need for a robust drainage system in affected areas and called for action to control the growing stray dog population in Srinagar. The Committee also emphasized inter-departmental coordination to ensure seamless service delivery and successful scheme implementation.
It resolved to continue monitoring the performance of key departments while thoroughly scrutinising the budget estimates, revised allocations and actual expenditures to promote accountability and transparency in developmental works. Members of the Committee offered valuable suggestions and raised significant concerns regarding implementation of various schemes under the RD&PR and H&UD Departments.