JAMMU, Nov 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured on Tuesday that elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the UT would be conducted once the delimitation of wards and reservation of wards for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is completed.
Addressing a felicitation function organised for Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) corporators at the JMC office, the LG emphasised the need for synergy between the people and elected representatives, urging a focus on resource generation for overall development.
Sinha commended the dedicated services of the corporators during the challenging period of the Covid pandemic, acknowledging their efforts in ensuring municipal services in their respective wards as the five-year term of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, corporators, and various committees expires today.
Highlighting the central government’s support for the development of ULBs in J&K, the LG stated that despite the delayed implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments, the UT Administration has decentralised decision-making and development, transferring more departments and responsibilities to elected representatives since August 2019.
“The Municipal Corporation is a symbol of the aspirations of the citizens in the 21st century,” remarked Sinha, attributing the increased financial resources provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for strong and accountable self-government in J&K.
Emphasising the importance of urban governance, LG Sinha remarked that it fosters cooperation among citizens and aims to transform the urban development paradigm to fulfil people’s aspirations. He highlighted efforts to improve urban planning, strengthen green infrastructure, and enhance the overall quality of living.
The felicitation function was attended by Rajinder Sharma (Mayor, JMC), Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta (Chief Secretary), Ramesh Kumar (Divisional Commissioner, Jammu), Anand Jain (IGP, Jammu), Rahul Yadav (Commissioner, JMC), Baldev Singh Billawaria (Deputy Mayor), and other dignitaries.
