J and K government releases Rs 10 crores for Municipalities

Srinagar, June 21 (UNI) To make the local bodies viable and more functional, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to release Rs ten crores to all municipal committees for undertaking different works in their respective areas, an official spokesman said here today.

He said this decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baigh.

The release of Rs 1.30 crores to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for streetlight and construction of footpaths was also endorsed in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Baigh asked for equitable distribution and judicious use of these funds.

He asked the municipal institutions to undertake municipal reforms so that they are converted into viable institutions of local government.

He assured all possible help in making these city local bodies viable and functional. He asked heads of Municipal Corporations to prepare projects of city development so that the development of urban areas is taken up in a planned manner.

Expressing concern over the rampant use of polythene and level of pollution in the Srinagar city, Mr Baig asked the Sringar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to undertake voluntary cleanliness drives involving students and volunteers against polythene and maintaining the cleanliness of the city.

The meeting also decided to recommend to the cabinet the hike and upward revision in the honorarium of the Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Corporators of the Municipal Corporations.

Responding to the needs of SMC, he directed the amount of Rs 1 crore be allotted to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for street lighting in the city.

He also endorsed that Rs Thirty lacs be put at the disposal of the SMC for development and construction of footpaths. The meeting decided to put three snow-cutting machines at the disposal of the SMC.

The meeting also decided that funds would be provided to SMC for undertaking various city development projects like NURM (National Urban Renewal Mission).

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