Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 27: Congress Corporators today questioned the inaugurations by former Legislators of BJP in the Corporation limits which is against the MC Act especially 74th amendment and urged the Governor to stop undue interference in the working of the Corporation, as well as fully empower the elected bodies in the State.
Addressing a joint press conference all Congress Corporators led by chief whip Dwarka Choudhary said that all main provisions of 74th amendment were incorporated in the State laws during Congress-NC regime and now the Government must implement those provisions since the elected bodies are in place.
He said that State Finance Corporation Act was enacted in the year 2011 and now the commission should be set up to lay down the criteria and share of PRIs out of State revenue.
Similarly the Anti-Corporation body known as ombudsman is to be constituted as per J&K Municipal Ombudsman Act 2010 enacted as per 74th amendment, he said, adding that as the elected Corporation is in place, the Governor should set up ombudsman. This act was also enacted by NC-Congress Government.
Choudhary said that all main provisions of 74th amendment are also in place in the State law but the previous Government of PDP-BJP failed to go ahead with the follow up action in the enforcement of the same.
The Corporators said that flow of funds and financial viability is most important factor for PRIs in the State which should be ensured by the Governor, so that elected Councilors/representatives come to the expectations of people.
They regretted that even after lapse of two months, the committees of the Corporations have not been constituted so far, which is affecting the working of the Corporation.
They expressed concern over the dilapidated condition of lanes and drains in the City and demanded required funds to do the necessary repairs/constructions of lanes and drains.
They also raised the issue of poor & deserving people who have been left out in “Aushuman Helth Insurace Scheme” and demanded inclusion of all eligible people in the said scheme.
They also expressed concern over the traffic congestion in the City and said that the slogans of smart city and metro city of BJP have remained in dreams only and the Government should ensure liberal funding to improve the conditions in Jammu City.
The Congress Corporators present in the press conference include Rajni Bala, Gourav Chopra, Kamal Singh, Rajinder Singh Jamwal, Rashpal Bhardwaj, Mohiud-din Choudhary, Ritu Choudhary, Bhanu Mahajan, Rama Thakyal, Charanjit Kour, Sonika Sharma, Pritam Singh and Inderjit Kour.