Arvind Sharma
The powers of executing works of public related departments namely Public Health Engg (PHE) and Public Works Department (PWD-R&B) have, although, come under the direct control of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) but so far the civic body has not been provided funds to meet the public demand, sources informed.
“The PHE and PWD(R&B) came under the direct control of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) after the implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment of the Indian Constitution but the guidelines in this regard were issued sometime back,” sources informed.
They informed that after the implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment the funds for execution of works related to PHE and PWD(R&B) are to be transferred directly to the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC).
“However, despite our repeated reminders the funds have so far not been provided to the civic body,” sources informed the Northlines while wishing not to be named.
They further informed that the JMC has now the direct powers of maintenance and construction of roads below 20ft width in all the 75 wards falling within its jurisdiction.
With PHE department under its control, the JMC has all the powers right from laying water supplying pipes, checking leakages, providing piped water to uncovered areas besides addressing water related demands of the people.
“We have begun our exercise and directed the concerned XEns and JEs to visit their respective areas, get feedback from the local corporators and prepare reports of works to be carried out in each ward as per people’s needs,” they said adding, “the non-availability funds is a matter of concern”.
Sources said that apart from this, the JMC has also held different rounds of meetings with concerned XEns of all the four divisions of both civil and mechanical wings of both PHE and PWD(R&B) and sought detailed report from them regarding works to be carried out in their respective divisions on priority basis.
“We have also been seeking detailed reports from the concerned officials of all the thirty two (32) sub divisions of PHE and PWD(R&B),” they said.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the work proposals of many corporators relating to their respective areas have been awaiting clearance.
“The tenders of work proposals regarding different works of our wards have not been floated,” some of the corporators told the Northlines.
“In some cases, where tenders have been approved but the works are not being carried out due to paucity of funds,” they said.
“It is good that PHE and PWD(R&B) have now come under the direct control of JMC but if the routine works are being hampered for want of funds, what would be the scenario ahead could be well imagined as funds after implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment have so far not been provided directly to the Corporation,” they said.
They said that roads and drains in most of the wards are in dilapidated condition and the situation has become worse during the ongoing monsoon season due to flash floods.
