Omar for early elections to urban local bodies

SRINAGAR :Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday asked the Housing and Urban Development Department to mobilize men and machinery for holding elections to urban local bodies as soon as possible.
“I want these elections as early as these could be held”, he emphasized asking for fast track preparedness of the concerning agencies for holding these elections in the State soon.
Reviewing the progress and status of various mega projects being executed in the State by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) with Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding here in the 17th Governing Body meeting of ERA, the Chief Minister said that empowerment of public representatives of urban areas is imperative to give fillip to the integrated development of cities and towns in the State.
The Chief Minister said that major projects flyovers, express-ways, drinking water augmentation projects, mega public service infrastructure and the projects requiring huge amounts should be launched under ADB funding to avoid financial constraints in their completion.
Omar Abdullah asked the ERA to move ahead on fast track in launching the two flyover projects one at Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar and the other at Bikram Chowk in Jammu for which ADB has agreed to fund under Lone-II. He also directed for constructing multi-tier parking complexes both at Jammu and Srinagar cities under ERA.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Chief Executive Officer, ERA, B. B. Vyas said that an amount of Rs. 1250 crores have been spent on various projects under Lone-I of ADB till date. He said that ERA has macadamized 433 kilometre roads, constructed 13 bridges, added 22 million gallons of water per day to the water supply system in Jammu, completed Rangil water supply scheme in Srinagar, constructed 94 kilometre of drainage lines and established 54 tube-wells besides rejuvenating 32 old ones and constructing 58 over head tanks under Lone-I.
The Chief Minister directed for putting in action the rehabilitation plan for affected shopkeepers in place within 7 days. He also approved the constitution of a Committee to look into the recruitment rules, enhancement of emoluments of contractual employment of ERA and other administrative issues.
The meeting discussed various matters pertaining to the completion of projects, launch of new schemes, institutional reforms and appointment of auditors.
The meeting was attended by Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Davender Singh Rana, Legislator, Ashwani Kumar, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary R&B, K. B. Agarwal, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Suresh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Finance, Sudhanshu Pandey and other senior officers.