“Will study metros on garbage disposal”
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU: There are chances that City of Temples may soon get a new look as the newly elected Deputy Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Purnima Sharma is planning city beautification on the patterns of elite places like Bangalore and Kerala.
In an exclusive interview with EXCELSIOR, the Deputy Mayor elaborated her plans about getting solutions to the prevailing problems of Jammu city.
“I will study metropolitan cities on how they manage their garbage disposal and hanging power cables problems and then we will bring that technology here after checking the feasibility,” she said.
On increasing drug abuse in the city, she said that soon she will visit each and every Ward of the city to check the intensity of the problem.
“Only after that some effective steps will be planned by roping-in experts in the field of de-addiction and psychologists,” she further said.
“I will also study the available infrastructure of playfields and everything required will be done to divert the youth towards sports activities to save them from the demon of addiction,” Purnima maintained.
On crime in the city, she said that without the help of police department nothing can be done in this regard.
She also appealed to the public of Jammu city to help cops and remain vigilant to all strange activities their localities in order to check the crime.
On crime against women, she said that lack of moral values and shortcomings in the present education system leads to the cases of eve-teasing, domestic violence and other crimes against the women in our society.
“Strict laws alone will not do everything and women too need to be aware about their rights and powers for which education is a must,” she further said.
“Modernization of public parks and development of Manda Morning Walkers Track with security cover will also be on my priority,” the Deputy Mayor said.
On drainage of litter and filth into the river Tawi, she said that a study will soon be conducted after monitoring other cities with similar problems and then diversion of all the drains away from river Tawi will be made planned.
“After cleansing Tawi its beautification will start in no time and funds will never be a constraint for that as the centre is liberal to give any amount of money for the developmental activities here,” she said.
On monkey menace, especially at Manda area and some places adjoining Panjtirthi in the old city, she said that the problem is on increase as the public has developed the habit of feeding monkeys in order to fulfil religious duties.
“In the Jammu zoo project we have planned fruitful tress so that all these monkeys may go there and then they will have no need to come to the city for food as they will get the same there from the fruitful trees,” she said.
On the problem of stray animals, she again assured to study big cities first for some effective solution but instructed meat shop owners and other eateries to use dustbins for throwing their wastes as by doing so may reduce the number of stray dogs in busy areas.
She sought public cooperation in dealing with the use of polythene bags and madly throwing of garbage.
On the issue of lanes and drains, sanitation and cleanliness, street lights, plantation of trees etc, she said that soon she will sit with the concerned officers to find some proper solution.
About blockages in sewerage network creating sanitation problems in the city, Sharma said, after sitting with the concerned departments she will look for the proper solution to this.
She also voiced for activating and upgrading public dispensaries so that load on Government Medical College Hospital may reduce.
About likely neglect of her own Ward on her being elevated as Deputy Mayor, she said: “I ensure that my Ward will get the proper care it deserves from me and there is no way that my very Ward will suffer on my being elevation to the post of Deputy Mayor,” she said assuring a proper balance in this regard so that none may feel neglected.
She also informed that soon there will be a helpline and social media channels where the public may register their complaints regarding the functioning of JMC.
On challenges as she is very new to the said post, she said: “Yes I am new to the post of Deputy Mayor but nothing can stop one if one is determined and possess right attitude and approach. Anyhow, almost everything is available online these days and there are many experts around me to guide.”
When asked that none of the Municipal Corporations in Jammu and Kashmir is having a hospital or school as is there in many other states of the country, she said that she will look into it and will do whatever will be possible.
Purnima Sharma won the Urban Local Bodies elections for the first time on a BJP ticket with a margin of 477 votes after defeating Rani of Congress.
Rani had got 1001 votes against 1478 polled to Purnima.
Purnima is also State President of BJP Women Wing and a working advocate for the last 19 years.
Her husband Dr Gopal Krishan Sharma is Divisional Manager at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and she has two daughters and a son.
One of her daughters Prarijat Sharma is pursuing BAMS while the other Padamja Sharma is doing BA-LLB.
Her son Krishan Sharma is in Class-VI.
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