Advisor (S) discusses issues, assess requirements of JMC

Jammu: Advisor to Governor, Kewal Kumar Sharma Tuesday discussed issues and assessed the requirements of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) here at a high level meeting.
The meeting was attended by JMC Mayor, Chander Mohan Gupta, Financial Commissioner, Housing & Urban Development Department(H&UDD), KB Aggarwal, Commissioner/Secretary, Culture Department, Mohammad Saleem Shishgar, Commissioner JMC, Pankaj Magotra, Director Tourism, Jammu, O P Bhagat, Director (Finance), H&UDD, Shaheen Mohammad Ashraf besides other senior officers.
While interacting with the Mayor and other functionaries, the Advisor said the Governor’s Administration successfully held the elections in the State and it is now the responsibility of allied departments to resolve the issues of the Municipal bodies on priority basis.
The Advisor said Governor’s administration is open to suggestions and recommendations that will make functioning of such institutions and life of the people better. He emphasized on sensitizing the key officials of the corporation for obtaining desired results on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Mayor submitted a memorandum of demands pertaining to JMC including release of funds for better functioning of the Corporation, enhancement of honorarium in favor of elected councilors, reorganization of JMC, recruitment against existing available sanctioned strength, filling up of vacant posts in the corporation, engaging sufficient number of field staff for the newly included wards, funds for upgradation of street lights in the city, deputation of technical and Engineering staff for streamlining and expansion of development activities.
The Mayor also briefed the Advisor about the overall working of the Jammu Municipal Corporation.
While discussing the issues related to street lights, the Advisor suggested for installation of solar street lights and replacement of bulbs with LED tubes to reduce power consumption.
On filling up of the vacant posts in the Corporation, the Advisor instructed the concerned to examine the case and roll out the process at the earliest.
The Mayor also urged for creation of Auditorium and starting of laser show to attract tourists to the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and speeding up the restoration work there.
The Advisor enquired about the current status of work on the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and asked the concerned functionaries and executing agencies to work with a vision for preserving the heritage of the state.
To minimize the traffic problem in the city, the Mayor suggested for linking of Town hall, SMGS hospital and Super Speciality Hospital with the Multi storey parking coming up at General Bus stand. He further demanded shifting of the ware house situated near Bikram Chowk to some suitable site.
The Mayor further informed the Advisor that an NGO will be taken on board for cleanliness in Municipal wards.
The meeting also discussed the ward-wise allocation of funds, operationalization of ward offices to attend public complaints and such related issues of JMC.