In view of concerns arising among the trading community following notices issued by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to the Narwal Fruit Mandi and over 200 establishments in different parts of Jammu city, Commissioner JMC Dr. Devansh Yadav today convened a meeting with representatives of various trade associations and elected representatives to clarify the issues and address apprehensions.
The meeting was attended by MLAs representing Jammu North Sham Lal Sharma, Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, Bahu Vikram Singh Randhawa and Jammu West Arvind Gupta, besides representatives of the business community. During the meeting, all relevant issues were discussed in detail and the Commissioner apprised the stakeholders of the position of the JMC and the steps being taken to address their concerns.
Dr. Yadav said that some notices issued during the past few days had led to apprehension and concern among members of the public and the trading community.
Clarifying on the matter, the Commissioner apprised that Residential to Commercial violations and notices to Narwal fruit mandi shopkeepers are two separate issues. He informed that the notices issued in respect of the Fruit Mandi were based on an alert note received by the Corporation from ACB. He assured the market representatives that JMC would extend all possible guidance and facilitation for obtaining the required building permissions and completing the process for regularisation of existing structures, wherever permissible under the rules as per JDA leases.
Dr. Yadav further said that the recently amended Unified Building Bye-Laws provide provisions relating to coverage, FAR and other aspects which can facilitate systematic development of existing markets. He said that wherever technically and legally feasible, vertical expansion could also be explored to accommodate additional shops and meet the growing requirements of established markets.
On the issue of residential-to-commercial use, the Commissioner said that this was a separate and long-standing matter and that several such cases were either pending before Honble courts or involved other disputes. Recently, Honble Supreme Court has issued an order for residential colonies with the aim of preventing their commercialisation. He said efforts were being made to examine suitable mixed-use provisions under the building bye-laws, particularly in areas where roads have adequate width and other prescribed parameters are met. He assured the business community and other stakeholders that JMC would continue to work in coordination with them and provide all possible assistance, guidance and facilitation within its mandate, while policy-related matters would be taken up positively with the Government.
He urged all stakeholders not to be unnecessarily apprehensive and said that the focus of the administration was on clarity, planned development, regulated growth and creating better economic opportunities for Jammu, while ensuring that development takes place in a positive and conducive environment.