Open defecation in Sainik Colony by labourers living in vacant plots
Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 23: A large area of posh Sainik Colony falling in Ward Number 69 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) faces a peculiar problem due to animals.
“Many Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) by so called dog-lovers are there in my Ward working in a fraudulent manner,” informed Gurmeet Kour Randhawa-Councillor of the Ward adding: “On documents these NGOs have kept the dogs somewhere else but in reality stay here especially in Sector C of my Ward.”
She further claimed that these NGOs have encroached public roads in the Ward by making dog shelters there and the concerned authorities should probe their activities. “The sick and elders in my Ward get disturbed by the presence of these dogs in large numbers as these canines bark harshly creating disturbance in the area,” the Councillor said.
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Randhawa, who politically belongs to BJP and is a first time Councillor further said that cows and buffaloes coming from adjoining Chowadi area spoil roads in her Ward by their dung.
She informed that areas of her Ward include Sectors A, B, C and G of Sainik Colony.
“A Nallah, 4 kms in length, in my Ward could not be completely constructed and the work was left in between after completing 2 km stretch of it because the budget of Rs. 18 crore meant for the work proved insufficient,” the JMC Councillor maintained adding: “If completed, the Nallah would have left 10 meters land on both of its sides which would be used for walkway and beautification purpose.”
It is pertinent to mention here that though more than four years of the mandatory tenure of five for the elected body of JMC have passed, many developmental works have not been completed yet while many of such works have even not seen the light of the day.
Randhawa also highlighted the problem due to vacant plots in the area and said that labourers live in these plots and they go for open defecation as owners of these plots have not constructed toilets for them.
She also said that people also dump garbage in such plots and owners of such plots should erect boundary walls around these plots with gates.
The Councillor said that water problem is there in her Ward and no tendering has been done so far for the sanctioned tube well and water supply in the Ward is made after three days.
She also said that replacement of water supply pipes in the area has not been done for the last 30 years.
“About 15 high mast lights are needed in my Ward at parks and Chowks and in absence of these lights thefts are taking place in the Ward,” the JMC Councillor said claiming that almost whole of her Ward has been covered with the required Street Lights and the damaged ones of these are being repaired in routine.
She said that there are 16 parks in her Ward half of which have no light but all have proper walkways.
Randhawa claimed that repair and construction work of lanes and drains in her Ward is almost complete while same is the status of blacktopping work there.
“There is a well developed playground in the Ward but there is no place for parking vehicles and the Ward also has one public toilet to facilitate the people,” she said.
The Councillor said that there are 26 Safai Karamcharis in her Ward but 50 more are needed.
“Still proper cleanliness has been maintained in the Ward by the proper use of available manpower,” Randhawa said.
She said that at present her Ward is witnessing power cuts although Smart Meters have been installed there without any protest.
“The autos moving from door-to-door collecting household garbage are doing a good job and from the day this service was introduced, garbage dumps in the Ward have decreased considerably,” Randhawa said.
She said that almost all the residents of her Ward have made their Ayushman Cards and almost all the eligible Voters have got their Voter Cards and same is the status of Domicile Certificates.
“A Community Hall is under construction in my Ward while there is a Health Centre also and a big piece of land has been kept there for a small hospital for which funds and required permission are awaited,” the Councillor informed.
She also said that there are damaged poles and hanging wires in some areas of her Ward and water coolers are also there for the public use especially in summer days to quench the thirst.
“House numbering has not been done in the Ward so far and thefts cases are on rise there for which the police should take a cognizance,” the JMC Councillor said.
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