Development Authorities constituted under J&K Development Act remain inactive
JAMMU, Sept 17: More than three years after the Jammu and Kashmir Government constituted and reconstituted several Development Authorities under the J&K Development Act, 1970, most of these bodies remain dormant with no meetings convened and no Master Plans prepared, undermining their very purpose.
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Mandate Under the J&K Development Act
As per Section 3 of the Act, the Government can constitute a Development Authority for any local area to promote and secure its planned development. These Authorities were tasked with preparing Master Plans, conducting civic surveys, regulating land use, executing engineering works, and ensuring civic amenities like water supply, sewage disposal, and electricity.
In 2022, the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) constituted several Authorities, including Kathua, Udhampur, Banihal and Akhnoor Development Authorities. Local areas were notified under each Authority’s jurisdiction, expected to guide systematic development.
Ground Reality: No Meetings, No Action
Official sources revealed that most of these Authorities have not convened a single meeting since their creation. Nor have they initiated Master Plan preparation or civic surveys, effectively reducing them to “names in records.”
“These Authorities were envisioned as engines of planned growth but today are white elephants of governance,” a senior official remarked. The absence of functioning bodies has already led to unregulated construction and chaotic urbanization in several regions.
Experts Raise Alarm
Urban planners and policy experts have strongly criticized the inaction:
- A retired town planner likened them to “cars without engines.”
- A development analyst called them “governance showpieces,” created with fanfare but abandoned in files.
They warned that unchecked growth, loss of land, civic disorder, and environmental degradation will worsen if the status quo continues.
Way Forward
Experts and sources stressed the urgent need to convene meetings, prepare time-bound Master Plans, and launch priority projects such as drainage, sewerage, and housing. Regular progress reviews must be ensured for accountability.
Some planners argued that instead of creating dormant Development Authorities, the Government should have strengthened Municipal Councils and Committees for holistic development, as they already function under H&UDD’s control.
Source: Daily Excelsior
Labels: Governance, Urban Development, Jammu and Kashmir
Tags: #DevelopmentAuthorities #HUDD #UrbanPlanning #JammuKashmir
Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on reporting by Daily Excelsior. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.
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