Resolution for protocol, security, allowances for Councillors passed

Meat shops to remain shut in JMC areas during Navratras

Sanjeev K Sharma

JAMMU, Apr 10: From resolution demanding defining of protocol for the Councillors of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to discussion on opening of meat shops, even for few hours, during Navratras as the holy month of Ramzan is also coming simultaneously with the nine holy days of Hindus, remained the business during the General House Meeting (GHM) of JMC today.
Rajinder Sharma, JMC Councillor of Ward 16 introduced the resolution demanding defining of protocol for JMC Councillors, provision of security to them and hiking their allowances and it was passed by the House after all the members supported it.
“Expecting JMC Councillors to work day and night on meagre honorarium of Rs. 10,000 is prompting them to become corrupt,” Sharma said while discussing his resolution demanding allowances for the Councillors of JMC.
Backing the demand of security to the Councillors, Congress Chief Whip, Chowdhary Dwarka Nath gave reference of a recent alleged attack on the Congress Councillor, Ritu Chowdhary by some miscreants wherein her husband was injured.
“Will you provide security to these elected representatives of public after they will be killed”? Nath asked.
As the House passed the resolution, Mayor, Chander Mohan Gupta said that they will meet the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha soon in this regard.
Shama Akhtar, Independent Councillor of Ward 71 had a point wherein she demanded opening of meat shops, may be in certain areas of Muslim domination and that too for few hours daily, as all the meat shops have been ordered by the JMC to remain shut during Navratras.
“Holy month of Ramzan is also coming simultaneously with holy Navratras,” she said adding that Muslims need meat in Ramzan days for Iftaar as they open their fasts.
She was supported by Councillor Sobat Ali and Congress Councillors like Dwarka Chowdhary and others who questioned opening of liquor shops in Navratra days.
Though the demand was not accepted, the Mayor when contacted informed that anyone wishing to purchase meat can do so from outside of JMC areas like Nagrota etc.
On opening of liquor shops during Navratra days, he said that Excise Department is answerable to that and JMC has no authority there.
Apart from this, certain other resolutions which were passed in the GHM today were resolution for removal of defunct poles in the city as private telecom companies are using these poles without paying anything to any of the Government authority. This resolution was introduced by Gurmeet Kour Randhawa, BJP Councillor.
To a question by Gurmeet Kour regarding developing of unused tube wells in Ward 69 (Sainik Colony area) as there is acute water problem, assurance was given to her by the concerned in JMC that the tube wells will be developed within days.
Resolution by another BJP Councillor and former Chairman of Standing Committee on Social Justice, Jeet Angral demanding post of one gardener per Ward of JMC was also passed.
Speaking on the resolution, Angral said that presently 50 gardeners are provided to JMC by the Floriculture Department and 50 others are outsourced from some agency.
“When 75 of these gardeners will be occupied in all the 75 Wards the remaining 25 might be used at needed areas,” he maintained.
Another resolution passed today was regarding simplifying of registration form for enrolment under Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission. This resolution was introduced by BJP Councillor, Narotam Sharma.
Resolution of naming the road from Ambphalla to Bantalab as Dr Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Marg was also passed by the House today.
Sham Lal Basson introduced a resolution for upgradation of Ambedkar Chowk in Gandhi Nagar and it was also passed by the House.
On his question on increasing Safai Karamcharis in Ward 48, Bahu Fort area in the wake of upcoming Navratras, assurance was given to him by the concerned in JMC that the number of Safai Karamcharis will be increased soon in Ward 48 and good tools and good equipments will also be provided to them for performing cleanliness tasks in a better way there.