Srunagar, September 30: BJP J&K State Spokesperson and Prabhari Bandipora Kashmir, Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat, has strongly criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government over notices being served to shopkeepers and commercial establishments in Jammu, questioning the timing of the action when the festive season is approaching and thousands of families depend directly or indirectly on small businesses.
Reacting to the issue, Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat said the government must adopt a human and solution-oriented approach instead of pushing shopkeepers towards uncertainty and loss of livelihood. Recent reports have highlighted notices issued by the Jammu Municipal Corporation to commercial establishments in residential colonies, with traders seeking clarity on documentation and the long-pending issue of Change of Land Use (CLU).
“The government cannot ignore the livelihood concerns of ordinary shopkeepers. If there are deficiencies in permissions, building documents or other records, people should be given a reasonable opportunity to rectify them wherever legally permissible, instead of immediately creating fear and uncertainty around their businesses. The festive season is at the doorstep, and this is the time to support traders, not add to their difficulties,” Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat said.
He also questioned the continued delay in Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, saying the absence of elected municipal representatives has created a serious disconnect between citizens, traders and the administration.
“The elected municipal bodies completed their terms in 2023, and Jammu Municipal Corporation has remained without elected representatives since then. Had elected municipal representatives been in place, affected shopkeepers would have had a proper democratic platform to raise their grievances. Their documents could have been scrutinised, deficiencies pointed out and rectified through an accountable local mechanism before matters reached the stage of notices,” he said.
Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat further raised concerns regarding the utilisation of CAPEX funds, stating that the absence of elected local representatives can affect grassroots planning, prioritisation and execution of municipal development works.
“Public money allocated for development must reach the ground. There is a genuine need for timely identification, approval and execution of projects so that valuable CAPEX allocations are not left unutilised. Jammu cannot afford delays in development simply because there are no elected municipal representatives to identify and pursue local priorities,” he said.
He demanded that the government immediately review the notices, provide affected shopkeepers a transparent opportunity to rectify documents wherever legally permissible, and announce a clear and time-bound roadmap for ULB elections.
“People need elected representatives, not merely notices. The government must protect livelihoods, restore grassroots democracy and ensure that every rupee earmarked for Jammu’s development is utilised transparently and effectively on the ground,” Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat said.
