Finance Commission reviews UD, RD functioning

The 13thFinance Commission, which is on a three-day visit to the State, reviewed functioning of Urban Development and Rural Development Departments at a high-level meeting, here on Tuesday .

The Commission, headed by Dr. Vijay Kelkar comprises Chairman, Mr. B. K. Chaturvedi, Members Dr. Indra Rajaram, Prof. Atul Sharma and Dr. Sanjeev Misra, Secretary, Mr. Sumit Bose, Joint Secretary, Mr. B.S. Bhullar and its economic Advisor, Mr. Rohit Roy.

Commissioner/Secretary, Housing & Urban Development, Mrs. Naseema Lankar and Secretary Rural Development, Mr M. S. Khan gave a detailed overview of their respective departments highlighting the achievements registered under various Central and State schemes. They also held threadbare discussions over variousissues concerning these departments with the Commission.

Mayor, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Mr. Salman Ali Sagar, who was present in the meeting, put up various demands before the Commission pertaining to integrated development of Srinagar city. Besides demanding enhancement of state share from 10 to 25 per cent to urban local bodies, Mr. Salman made a strong case for approval of Rs 69 crore city beautification plans and Rs 50 crore sanitation proposal for augmenting civic amenities. He also sought Rs. 45 crore plan for twin slaughter houses in the city.

Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Mr. Kavinder Gupta demanded adequate funds for execution of roads, playgrounds, crematoriums, sanitation and solid waste management projects in the city of temples. Mr. Kavinder also sought Rs 450 crore project for holistic development and revamping of lanes and by-lanes of Jammu city.

Representatives of other urban local bodies from Kashmir and Jammu and Panchayats from all across the State also put their views before the Commission.

Later, the Commission along with the officers of the State Government visited the 4.5 MLD sewerage Treatment Plants at Laam, Nishat and Eco-park at Tailbal developed by the LAWDA.