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| Mehbooba moots 'capital city plans' for Srinagar, Jammu | | |  Early Times Report
srinagar, May 21: Indicating her steadfastness and commitment to do justice with the both the regions, Jammu and Srinagar, the two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today announced separate 'Development Plans' for Srinagar and Jammu districts, keeping in view the requirement for additional funds to create durable assets and ensure effective social sector spending.
She described Srinagar as Valley's heart and assured time-bound development of the summer capital, which received a major setback in the colossal floods of 2014.
"There is a need to shift to Capital City Plans as funding under District Plans has largely been incommensurate with the rapidly-expanding boundaries of Srinagar and Jammu cities," she observed.
The Chief Minister said this while chairing the District Development Board (DDB) meeting of Srinagar, here at SKICC today.
After deliberating for nearly six hours, the DDB headed by the Chief Minister, approved an Annual CAPEX Budget of Rs.100.29 crore for the year 2016-17.
In her maiden address as Chairman of DDB Srinagar, the Chief Minister said the summer capital would continue to receive focused attention vis-à-vis proper sewerage and drainage network, restoration of encroached public spaces to de-congest city centre, improving connectivity by way of upgradation of roads, fortifying embankments and dredging of river Jhelum so that the destruction inflicted by 2014 floods is not repeated.
Asking the legislators to approach her in case of any delay in completion of projects, the Chief Minister said she is carrying forward the roadmap which her father had sketched for development of Srinagar city.
"Mufti Saab's last assignment as Chief Minister was his tour of Srinagar on December 22 last year during which he visited several places and promised to restore its pristine glory. I am here to fulfill his vision and promises which he had made with the people," she added.
Referring to the rising population of capital cities and the corresponding requirement of better amenities, the Chief Minister said de-linking Srinagar and Jammu from District Plan funding pattern would go a long way in addressing the concerns of the people. She directed the Finance Minister to devise a mechanism for conceiving separate Development Plans by taking into consideration the specific needs and demands of both the capital cities.
The Chief Minister described relocation of the vendors and street hawkers to various identified spots within the city centre as a step towards enabling them to earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.
"This will also facilitate smooth movement of traffic and restore pedestrian walkways, thus bringing huge relief to the people," she added.
The Chief Minister also directed DC Srinagar to fast-track all land acquisition cases so that bottlenecks in widening of roads in the city are removed. She also suggested shifting of some government buildings to city outskirts, thereby allowing the government to create much-needed space for creation of public utility infrastructure.
While obtaining status of Achan Landfill site at Srinagar, H&UDD Secretary informed the Chief Minister that a mechanical segregator has been ordered and will be installed within the next two months.
This, he assured will go a long way in scientific disposal of waste and removal of stink, which has created enormous problems for people residing in the vicinity of the dumping site.
"Meanwhile, J&K ERA is working on a third cell at the site to address the issue of garbage disposal from the city," he added.
The Chief Minister directed H&UDD Secretary to also explore the possibility of creating green spaces, preferably by developing a park, for the people residing in the localities near the landfill site.
Asking I&FC Department to expedite dredging and de-silting of river Jhelum right from Anantnag, Srinagar to Baramulla, the Chief Minister said she will personally monitor the pace of work so that we are better prepared to face the vagaries of weather.
On the issue of effective implementation of R-APDRP in Srinagar city, Mehbooba Mufti directed PDD Secretary to immediately remove bottlenecks within the next one week so that available resources under the Centrally-sponsored schemes are utilised without any further delay.
In his address, Finance Minister Dr Drabu said the new pattern of funding has brought a systemic change in the utilization of funds allocated under District Plans. He said an effort has been made to promote criteria-based funding, which fully empowers the people and helps in creation of durable assets.
"Unlike in the past, the funds are now being allocated only for development works," he said, adding previous year has also shown better results in terms of utilization of fund kitty allocated under CSSs.
While projecting demands of their respective constituencies, the Legislators raised several issues pertaining to basic services like up-gradation of power, education and health infrastructure, strengthening of PHE distribution network, promotion of handicrafts sector, new housing colonies for urban poor and effective dissemination of municipal functions. |
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