Last Updated on October 19, 2020 at 7:47 pm
“J&K Government has initiated My Town My Pride programme with a prime agenda of empowering the Urban Local Bodies by reaching out to the urban population, with governance at their doorsteps and ensuring on spot redressal of their issues and grievances”, remarked Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha while taking part in the programme at Baramulla today.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor also refuted the rumours regarding the reduction or scrapping of the honorarium of the PRI/ULB representatives, saying such rumours are being spread by certain vested interests, deliberately misleading elected PRI’s/ULB’s representatives on the honorarium issue.
He further remarked that the UT government isn’t imposing property tax as being misrepresented by some people, however, the Urban Local Bodies are competent to decide on such issues in consultation with the public and for the development of the ULB’s themselves.
The two-day long programme, an initiative for the Municipal areas is being conducted in Urban Local Bodies on 19th – 20th October, during which camps for public service delivery are being set up.
Addressing a gathering of the enthusiastic locals, the Lt Governor observed that – Public outreach in towns, Strengthening grass-root democracy, and service delivery at doorsteps are the three main objectives of the “My Town My Pride” initiative.
‘The My Town My Pride’ is not a programme to announce anything new, but an opportunity to discuss and derive solutions to existing needs, issues and for effective delivery of services at every doorstep. During these two days, many issues faced by the cities will come to light, which will thereby help create a definitive roadmap for developing a strong ecosystem for our cities, focussing on the urban-rural partnership, enhancing market and business opportunities, job creation, filling the gaps in education system and ensuring sustainable economic development of our cities’, he affirmed.
The Lt Governor stressed that the Urban-Rural connect is vital for the wholesome development of Jammu & Kashmir and under ‘My Town My Pride’, every Municipal Council will be given Rs 1 crore to fill gaps in ongoing works. Similarly, Municipal Committees will be given Rs 50 lakhs each and Rs 5 cr will be given to Municipal Corporations to fill the gaps. Some part of the amount will be used for installing street lights in the city and some for creating parking spaces.
