Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 12: In a display of discontent, the Corporators of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) organized a protest demonstration today, expressing their frustration over the prolonged delay in holding the general council meeting for the past 16 months.
Additionally, they highlighted the unexplained reasons behind the postponement of the Executive Body elections.
Several Corporators gathered at the SMC premises, raising slogans and appealing to Mayor Srinagar Junaid Azim Matto to address their concerns promptly. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that the corporation actively works towards the betterment of the city’s residents.
Latief Ahmad Lone, one of the Corporators from Pantha Chowk, expressed his disappointment with the way the corporation is currently being managed. He stated, “The manner in which the corporation is being run is very unfortunate. We are unable to deliver tangible results on the ground.”
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Lone further added, “The works program should have been initiated in April, but it’s already June, and there has been no progress in this regard. The SMC Council has not convened a meeting in the last 16 months, and the Executive Body Elections are also being delayed.”
He accused the Mayor of not attending his office for over a year, which he claimed has negatively impacted the corporation’s functioning. He criticized the situation, stating, “It is a joke on the people of Srinagar. According to the law, two council meetings should be held every month, but we would have been content with just one.”
Shamima, another Corporator from Qamerwari, expressed her frustration with their inability to fulfil their responsibilities during their four-year tenure. She lamented, “We have been here for over four years, but we have made little progress. People share their problems with us, but we are unable to address them. We are facing criticism from the public.”
The Corporator also raised concerns about the Mayor’s absenteeism, which she believed hampers the execution of important projects. She questioned, “Due to the Mayor’s absence, the funds that were allocated have lapsed. Shouldn’t the Mayor be held accountable for this?”
The Corporators acknowledged that they have limited time left in their tenure and expressed their desire to complete pending works. They called upon the Mayor to attend the office diligently and ensure the timely execution of projects.
Zubair Fayaz, a Corporator from Rainawari, demanded the immediate conduct of pending elections and urged the council to convene without further delays. He specifically highlighted the deplorable condition of the city’s lanes and bylanes, emphasizing the urgent need for repairs.
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