Proposal to develop JVR as alternative to Baramulla-Uri NH
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 3: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development Department (RDD), Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today said that the State Commission for Panchayati Raj Institutions will be constituted soon, as all required procedures have already been completed.
Speaking to reporters in Sopore in district Baramulla, Dar said that the State Commission for PRIs has to be formed first and all its formalities have been completed. “Once the commission is formed, appointments will be made and further work will be taken up,” he said. Click here to watch video
The Minister said that PRI grants from the Centre are continuing and have not been stopped, and that Gram Sabhas will be held this year and next year as well.
“PRI grants are coming from the Centre, Gram Sabhas are being held, and they will continue this year and next year too. No funds have been stopped,” he further said.
Responding to a question on the ending term of District Development Councils (DDCs), Dar said that every system works within the framework of law and an institution cannot continue once its term ends.
“Any system runs within the scope of law. Once the term of an institution or its representative is over, it is obvious that it cannot continue after that,” he said.
The Minister said that the proposal to develop the Jhelum Valley Road as an alternative to the Baramulla-Uri Highway is under review.
Dar said the matter would be evaluated in an upcoming meeting before any final decision is taken.
“The Jhelum Valley Road will be evaluated as a possible alternative. A meeting has been scheduled for detailed discussions. If the proposal is found suitable, it will be taken forward,” he said, adding that the situation is being monitored by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, following recent landslides on the Baramulla-Uri Highway.
Regarding the review meeting, Dar said it focused extensively on issues related to the Sopore Fruit Mandi, and that several development plans were discussed.
He said the issues concerning the fruit mandi had earlier come up during a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, during which the MLA Sopore raised several constituency-related concerns, particularly about the functioning and effectiveness of the mandi.
Following the Chief Minister’s directions, he said, a comprehensive meeting of officers from various departments was convened.
“We discussed all issues in detail. The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to consolidate the deliberations and prepare a detailed proposal for the Sopore Fruit Mandi,” Dar said.
He added that the proposal would include land use planning, expansion of the mandi, development of a truck terminal, two-laning and four-laning of roads, multi-level parking and other allied infrastructure requirements.
“Once the proposal is compiled, it will be sent to the Chief Minister’s office. We will pursue it and ensure its implementation in letter and spirit.”
On urban congestion, Dar said efforts were underway to decongest Baramulla town.
“The MLA Baramulla and the Deputy Commissioner are monitoring the situation. Several projects are already in progress. Just as we have prepared a plan for decongesting Sopore, a similar plan is also in place for Baramulla town,” he said.
MLA Sopore Irshad Kar on the occasion said all plans were discussed threadbare during the meeting and that suggestions from stakeholders would be incorporated. “In the coming days, a complete programme will be sent to the Chief Minister’s office.”
On the apparent slow pace of the developmental works, Kar said: “Some works have already been taken up, though it will take time for the pace to pick up,” he said.
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