Parks to be named after gallantry awardees
Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, May 17: The General House of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in its meeting on Tuesday passed a resolution to ban ‘illegal’ loudspeakers at religious places in the city of temples—a move inviting protests from the Congress which was supported by Independent Councillors and all the protesting members moved towards the podium raising noisy slogans which left the House of elected public representatives, dominated by the BJP, in a din in which nothing was heard.
The resolution of loudspeaker ban was moved by BJP Councillor, Narotam Sharma of Ward 3 and was seconded by another BJP Councillor, Sanjay Baru of Ward 41.
The resolution claimed that noise pollution in Jammu is responsible for causing several ailments to the citizens.
Supporting his resolution, Narotam Sharma said: “It is lawful and moral duty of this House to prevent all kind of pollutions including ‘noise pollution’. Scientific Researches have proved that noise pollution is responsible for several health problems including stress-related illnesses, sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss and also heart diseases.”
He also quoted the judgment of Supreme Court wherein the Apex Court had issued guidelines for the usage of Public Address System and loudspeakers.
“I urge the House to pass this resolution and request the Government of J&K to strictly implement the judgment of Supreme Court,” he maintained adding that the District Magistrate Jammu should be asked to remove all ‘illegal’ loudspeakers and Public Address systems from all places like Banquet Halls, Community Halls, Temples, Mosques, Gurudwaras, Churches etc where the loudspeakers are installed and are operating without any legal permission.
The JMC Councillor, in his resolution, further said that the District Magistrate Jammu should also be asked to ensure that from 10 pm to 6 am no loudspeaker and public address system should be used at least within JMC limits barring those at community halls, banquet halls, organizations and religious places which have permission from the concerned authorities with undertaking to use the device within permissible decibel and only within time allowed by authorities.
After coming out of the House, Congress chief whip, Dwarka Chowdhary told reporters that BJP led Government is opening record number of liquor shops in J&K and there is no objection to it but the loudspeakers chanting God’s name are being objected.
The news of passing of resolution on loudspeakers ban at religious places in no time went viral on social media and news channels too were busy with it though the House also passed few other important resolutions like the one of naming two parks in Paloura area after Gallantry Awardees—Major Som Nath Sharma, PVC and Raghubir Singh Manhas and installing statues of these martyrs in these parks.
This resolution was moved by Congress Councillor, Rajni Bala of Ward 60.
It is pertinent to mention here that Major Som Nath Sharma was recipient of the highest gallantry award in independent India—Param Vir Chakra (PVC) as he laid down his life while defending Srinagar airport from tribal invaders backed by Pakistan army in 1947 Indo-Pak war while Raghubir Singh Manhas took on militants in Punjab in a face to face conflict and attained martyrdom.
Another resolution passed was that of rechristening Lower Roop Nagar EWS Colony as Maharaja Hari Singh Nagar (moved by Tripta Devi, BJP Councillor of Ward 66).
The House assembled for its business at 11 am and culminated at 7 pm and it took a total of 33 resolutions only a few of which were passed while others were rejected as the subjects were not in JMC’s domain while for the remaining assurance was given to take up issue with the Government.
Some Councilors like Kuldeep Singh of Ward 63, who also had a resolution regarding PHE which was listed in today’s business but as he was absent, the resolution was not taken up.
“Some resolutions were in fact, questions which members had submitted without applying mind while others were already passed and the Councillors had again submitted them with little modifications as they were not satisfied with earlier reply,” informed JMC Mayor, Chander Mohan Gupta.
Earlier, the House discussed the working of different departments and the Councillors in the Urban Local Body raised their issues which were answered by the JMC Commissioner, Rahul Yadav.
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