JMC to stop lifting goods displayed outside shops as e-Challans get nod

JMC Mayor, Rajinder Sharma addresses General House Meeting of the Urban Local Body in Jammu on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Excelsior Rakesh

‘Councillors to pay Rs 10K, shopkeepers 5K for using banned poly-bags’

Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 31: The use of poly-bags in Jammu city will now invite trouble as Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has decided to slap hefty fines on its use while in another development the Enforcement Wing of JMC will now stop lifting goods displayed outside shops as a resolution in this regard has been passed today in the General House Meeting (GHM) of the Urban Local Body which gave nod to e-Challans to such encroacher shopkeepers who display their goods outside their shops.

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Moved by none else than Deputy Mayor of JMC, Baldev Singh Billawaria the resolution stated that while removing encroachments by the shopkeepers during anti-encroachment drives, JMC used to bring valuable items to its offices which were mostly mishandled and a procedure was to be followed for their release.
The resolution also mentioned that in order to make the anti-encroachment exercise purposeful, the Enforcement Wing should impose e-Challan to fine the encroacher shopkeepers on spot.
During discussion on the resolution by Deputy Mayor which also sought enforcing ban strictly on the use of poly-bags, the Mayor Rajinder Sharma intervened and said that a fine of minimum of Rs. 10,000 shall be slapped on JMC Councillors if they are found using banned poly-bags while the shopkeepers doing so shall be fined Rs. 5000.
Another resolution moved by Shama Akhtar—Independent Councillor from Ward number 71 demanding some policy to regularize small lands in her Ward (Sidra area) where some landless people are living, triggered heated debate.
She had demanded that the occupants of such lands should not be evicted from those lands.
Opposing the resolution Narinder Singh of BJP, Sanjay Baru of BJP and some other Councillors claimed that there were large scale illegal constructions around Jammu city area which should be removed.
As the debate intensified, Mayor, Rajinder Sharma intervened and said that a Committee shall be constituted over the issue with Narinder Singh, Kamal Singh of Congress and others as its members.
Resolution moved by Rajinder Singh Jamwal of Congress demanding naming a Chowk between Ward number 39 and 26 as Durga Mandir Chowk as there is a Durga temple in the vicinity was passed along with his another resolution which was in shape of demand that a new bridge should be constructed over Ranbir Canal to facilitate people who come from Bharat Nagar and Kabir Colony to Shakti Nagar Crematorium for performing last rites of their dear ones.
On a resolution by Independent Councillor, Sham Lal Basson demanding that a proposed park outside Balidan Stambh at Bahu Fort area be named after legendary freedom fighter Uddham Singh, JMC Commissioner, Rahul Yadav said, as the land belongs to Railway Department, JMC can’t name the proposed park there.
To another resolution moved by Gopal Gupta demanding renovation and proper infrastructure to Government Schools in Jammu, the JMC Commissioner said that JMC will write to the School Education Department in this regard.
Resolution moved by Rashpal Bhardwaj demanding furniture and computer setup in Ward offices of JMC was passed.
To a resolution moved by Yash Paul Sharma demanding constitution of a Committee to make a mechanism for revenue collection from illegal colonies for facilities given by JMC there, the Mayor said that a detailed memorandum shall be prepared in this regard and it will be send to the concerned authorities.
However, Yash Paul said that he had demanded that for construction works in illegal colonies JMC should charge something as otherwise certain personnel from JMC accept illegal graft from the people who do construction works in such colonies and allow illegal constructions.
To the resolution by Ashok Singh demanding Primary Schools, ICDS Centres and Health Centres with assets and liabilities and funds be transferred to JMC as per 74th amendment, the JMC Commissioner said that there already exists such mechanism but as there is at present no budget for that the JMC will write to the concerned departments.
On resolution by Jeet Angral demanding revocation of recent order by Social Welfare Department demanding documents to be re-submitted for old age, widow and other pensions through online mode, the JMC Commissioner said that JMC will take up the issue with concerned authorities in the government.