The House Committee on Estimates held a comprehensive review meeting at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar to assess the functioning of the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) and Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Departments. The session was chaired by Shamim Firdaus and attended by several committee members including Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Pawan Kumar Gupta, and others.
Key officials present included Commissioner Secretary H&UD, Mandeep Kour; Commissioner Secretary RD&PR, Babila Rakwal; and heads of various allied departments and municipal bodies.
Chairperson Firdaus emphasized the need for effective implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission in rural areas, calling for daily garbage collection, scientific segregation, and timely disposal. She also stressed the construction of Panchayat Ghars in halqas lacking infrastructure and urged active involvement of elected MLAs in planning and execution phases.
The Committee called for immediate conservation efforts for Srinagar’s water bodies such as Khushalsar, Gilsar, and Brarinambal, alongside removal of encroachments and restoration of clogged springs across J&K.
Urban concerns raised included improving drainage systems and managing the stray dog menace in Srinagar. The Committee underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination and resolved to maintain strict oversight of budget estimates, allocations, and expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability.
Members contributed suggestions and expressed concerns regarding scheme implementation under both RD&PR and H&UD Departments.