Concerned citizens’ delegation presents policy paper on environment to chief secretary

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 02 (STC): A delegation of local Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) led by it chairman Khursheed Ganie presented a policy paper – “SRINAGAR DECLARATION on Natural Environment in Jammu & Kashmir” to the Chief Secretary, Atal Duloo in a high -level meeting here on Thursday.
Frequent Amendments to the Urban Building Byelaws over last 2 years was another key concern discussed in the meeting with GCC pressing for an ” authentic expert appraisal of these amendments, as also of the newly notified land pool policy, instead of having to push for copy – paste of a type design far removed from the imperatives of safeguarfing natural environment, heritage and culture of J&K”.
The Group decried a known flood-basin in Nowgam having been identified for an Industrial Estate in violation of Srinagar Master Plan and demanded “it be shelved” and also raised certain other concerns of public importance. These included review of the freeze on teacher recruitment; filling up of vacancies of doctors / specialists / consultants in Health Services Department, besides faculty positions in Govt Medical and Dental Colleges; integration of City Mobility Plans in flyover projects on the anvil and for better regulation/ management of traffic; widening
of city roads and removal of bottlenecks; assigning LCMA with conservation of ANCHAR lake and uncared for lagoons; protection and preservation of heritage sites; re-integration of the City Channels( Kuta Khol, Chuent Khol , Sons Khol) as part of the flood mitigation plans ; Use of GB Pant Hospital infrastucture lying abandoned for four years.
In his response , the Chief Secretary appreciated the GCC endeavour to project important public concerns and grievances from time to time . and assured earnest appropriate action on each point raised .
Administrative Secretaries and other senior officials from concerned Departments also participated in the meeting .
(Straight Talk Communications)