Various deputations call on CM

Several deputations met Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah at his residence and apprised him of their problems, here today.

Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mr. Devender Singh Rana, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal were present on the occasion.

A deputation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, headed by its President Mr. Ram Sahai, met the Chief Minister and put forth their problems which included increase in frequency of power cuts, sanctioning of new power connections for industries, augmentation of 132 KV grid station, installation of new 33 KV transformers at the industrial estates in Samba and Jammu to cater to their power requirement and extension of provident fund scheme to units with 10 employees, instead of five.

Another Deputation of Retailers’ Association, Jammu, met Mr. Abdullah and projected problem of shortage of drinking water, unscheduled power cuts, proper sanitation in bazaars and maintenance of roads, lanes and drains in prominent markets of the city.

Regarding their demand for setting up a complaint cell in the office of Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for highlighting day-to-day power and water problems, the Chief Minister said that he has already issued instructions to set up centralized call centres coordinated by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to reply to the queries and problems of common man. He said additional Rs. 2 crore will be sanctioned for plying water tankers in areas reeling with water scarcity, adding with the commissioning of Sitlee Filtration Plant’s Intake III within next fortnight, most of the water woes of Jammu city will be solved.

The deputation of Hotelier Association informed the Chief Minister that shifting of bus stand to Khanpur in Nagrota will adversely affect their business. They demanded construction of muti-tier parking lot near bus stand and starting of the work on Bahu Fort to Mubarak Mandi cable car project. To reduce vehicular congestion on Jewel to Canal Road, the deputationists demanded construction of an alternate by-pass parallel to the road.

Mr. Abdullah said present dispensation is committed to develop Jammu as an important tourism destination and an artificial lake is being developed near Tawi river at a cost of Rs. 14 crore. Rs. 2 crore has already been released for starting the work immediately on the project, he added.

A deputation of Bar Association, headed by its President Mr. Sunil Sethi, demanded completion of under-construction chambers for lawyers at High Court Complex, Janipur for which work has stopped for want of funds. The Chief Minister assured the deputation that he would look into their problem.

Members of Parliament, Mr. Madan Lal Sharma and Ch. Lal Singh, MLA, Mr. Ashok Khajuria, MLC, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra, besides Mr. Rattan Lal Sharma, Provincial President NC, also led various delegations and met the Chief Minister.