Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: Senior BJP leader and MLA from Bahu Assembly Constituency, Ch Vikram Randhawa today alleged malfunctioning in three key departments: Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Jammu Development Authority (JDA), and Jammu & Kashmir Housing Board.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, here today, he also alleged inefficiencies in the Revenue, Finance, and Housing & Urban Development Departments, which fall under the ambit of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The recently passed Budget is yet to be implemented in J&K. As an elected public representative in the J&K Assembly, we are pained to witness the failure to secure Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for developmental works in our constituencies,” he said.
“While the Modi Government at the Centre is ensuring fast-paced development in Jammu & Kashmir, the NC-led Government has been failing on the development front,” he added.
Citing the alleged failure of the Revenue Department, he drew attention towards the issue of Gair Mumkin Khad, commonly seen in Jammu’s landscape but left unattended. He noted that due to restrictions on the sale and purchase of these lands, local residents are facing significant hardships, and the Government exchequer is also suffering losses.
Randhawa criticized the delay in granting Free-Hold rights in the Gandhi Nagar area by the Housing Board. He pointed out that weak policy implementation is causing delays in necessary procurements and changes in the nomenclature or ownership (Maliki) of documents required for various purposes.
He questioned why residents are not considered rightful owners (Malik) of their purchased lands and raised concerns about the imposition of hefty charges for changes in ownership when the full payment had already been made in the past.
He further questioned the lack of proper registration and regularization of shops and markets in Gandhi Nagar, arguing that the development of the area must align with present-day needs. He alleged that people are being harassed under outdated rules by the concerned departments.
Randhawa also highlighted the issue of shops allotment in the Fruit/Sabzi Mandi in Narwal, which were originally made by the JDA in the 1980s on a 40-year lease. He said that even after five years since the lease expired in 2020, shop owners are unable to apply for loans or carry out other legal processes due to the pending lease extensions.
The MLA also raised a security concern, questioning why Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are being employed in various works under the JMC through NGOs. He called this a dangerous practice that must be checked immediately to avoid potential threats to regional security.
Ch. Vikram Randhawa urged the NC Government to ensure minimal bureaucratic interference but maximum assistance to promote good governance. He reminded the Government of its fundamental duty to serve the residents of Jammu & Kashmir.
During the conference, Vikram Randhawa was accompanied by BJP Mandal Presidents Rahul Kumar, Nitish Gupta and Surjit Sonu.
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