Rajesh Gupta
RAMBAN, JANUARY 29: Ahead of the finalisation of the Master Plans for Ramban and Banihal towns, Deputy Commissioner Ramban today chaired a meeting of concerned officers and officials to deliberate on the draft proposals and issued necessary directions for incorporating locally identified concerns before submission for approval but it is a question that no point was discussed on revising Master Plan of Patnitop Dev Authority for development of Patnitop, which was previously notified in the year 2000 i.e. 25 years back & well known fact that Patnitop is the best tourist spot of Jammu province & DC Udhampur & Ramban are Chairman of BOCA of PDA?
It proved that if Bye Laws of Master Plan of 2000 being applied on today in PDA by CEO, despite lapse of 25 years, so how new developments can take place to attract tourist in the jurisdiction?
It is also to mention here that as none of the Development Authority has no Engineering wing, so needed to be abolished as causing loss of crores to JKUT Govt on salary of top officers appointed in such white elephant authorities.
Above all if Authorities are not with Engineering Wing & are dependent on PWD, why not concerned DCs who are Chairman of BOCA of such Authorities recommend for its abolitions & concerned Municipal Councils/PWD etc be authorized to look into by reducing burden of crores per month on salaries of officers appointed in such Authorities.
Above all it is to mention here that J&K Development Act of 1970 clearly reads to frame revised Master Plans after 05 years as per the needs of developments in the area but PDA bosses seems supreme for openly non complying Govt orders despite LG being the Chairman of the PDA & Chief Secretary being the Vice Chairman.
It is also the need of the day to conduct an enquiry of wastage of more than 10 Lakhs on preparation of revised Master Plan of Patnitop Dev Authority but the said Master Plan has been put in dust bin thereafter, so the said loss be needed to recovered from the personal pocket of concerned defaulting officers?
However, the meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer Dr. Shakeeb Ahmed Rather, ACR Shokat Hayat Mattoo, SDM Banihal Mohammad Naseeb Bajran, Chief Executive Officer Municipal Council Ramban Surdeshan Jamwal, Tehsildars, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Banihal, and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner discussed the objectives, methodology and salient features of the draft Master Plans.
He stated that the plans aim to make Ramban and Banihal vibrant, liveable and future-ready towns by rationalising land use, curbing haphazard growth, addressing infrastructure gaps and promoting sustainable and systematic urban development.
The Deputy Commissioner specifically directed that the Parnote land subsidence area and the likely impact of the upcoming Sawalkote Hydro Power Project on low-lying areas identified under the Ramban Master Plan be carefully factored into the planning proposals.
Emphasising inclusive and realistic planning, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the Town Planning Organisation to consider all genuine suggestions and inputs of concerned stakeholders so that the final Master Plans truly reflect local aspirations and lay a strong foundation for sustainable growth and improved quality of life in both towns.
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