People living along IB to get reservation benefits: SAC
JAMMU: The State Administrative Council (SAC under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik has approved the draft amendments in the “Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act-2014” for extending the benefits of reservation to persons residing in the areas along the International Border (IB).
International Border (IB) covers a population of around 3 lakhs spread over 350 villages in Jammu Division.
The amendment shall meet the long-standing demand of the people residing in the areas adjoining International Border for their overall socio-economic and educational development.
The said demand was examined in consultation with J&K State Commission for Backward Classes and it was felt that persons residing in the areas adjoining IB are similarly situated as the persons residing in the areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALC), so far as their socio-economic backwardness is concerned and thereby qualify for inclusion within the ambit of reservation at par with persons living in areas adjoining Line of Actual Control. However, as per the recommendations of the J&K State Commission for Backward Classes, the areas falling within 6 Km from the IB shall be covered within the meaning of reservation. List of such villages shall be notified while framing rules once the Ordinance is promulgated.
As per the existing reservation rules, 3 % reservation is admissible to people residing on LoC in direct recruitment. Reservation of 3% is also available to the people residing on Actual Line of Control (ALC) in professional institutions.
With this amendment, ALC and IB will be considered as one category for purposes of seeking reservation in direct recruitment and in promotions. This will benefit a large number of people residing in the areas adjoining IB to reap the benefits of reservation like other categories.
Following the approval of the proposal by SAC today, the Social Welfare Department will process the draft amendment for further consideration of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs for promulgation of the Ordinance by the Competent Authority.
Meanwhile, in another important decision, the SAC approved Srinagar Master Plan-2035 along with the recommendations by the Committee constituted by Government for the scrutiny of objections and suggestions received from stakeholders.
Master PlanSrinagar-2035 is a comprehensive planning exercise for ensuring sustainable development of the Srinagar Metropolitan Area spread over 766 sq. km. This is the third statutory planning exercise carried out in the last forty-five years to achieve city’s sustainable and sustained physical and economic growth.
The Master Plan has been prepared for a population of around 3.5 Million (35 Lakh) by 2035. The Master Plan has a Planning Area of 766 Sq. Km which stands notified vide SRO-429 dated 21.10.2014 including the municipal areas of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and that of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore, Khrew ULBs and additional 160 villages as outgrowths in 12 tehsils of Six districts viz; Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Bandipora and Baramulla.
A comprehensive public policy document, the Master Plan is in sync with ground realities which show a major shift from an archaic planning approach in terms of its land-use policy, development regulations, and mixed land-use regulations towards progressive planning.
The Master Plan-2035 enshrines a shared vision for the future of Srinagar city and recommends specific actions for its realization. The Master Plan Srinagar is a long-term perspective plan for guiding the sustainable planned development of Srinagar Metropolitan region. This document lays down the planning guidelines/policies/development code and space requirements for various socio-economic activities supporting the city population during the plan period of twenty years. It will also be the basis to meet the infrastructure requirements and will serve as a basic pattern of framework within which the Zonal Plans of the local area shall be formulated.
The draft Master Plan was debated extensively in the Housing & Urban Development Department, placed for reviews and comments before a panel of experts having relevant subject specialization and field experience in environment, heritage, disaster management, transportation, urban sociology, urban design etc. A series of seminars, workshops and one-to-one discussions were also held both within and outside the State during the finalization of the Master Plan. Technical inputs were obtained from experts which included eminent faculty members of School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and Chief Planner, Town & Country Planning Organization, New Delhi.
The Master Plan-2035 has many firsts which makes it a unique exercise like Unique Development Code, use of GIS technology, Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs), Green Floor Area Ratio (FAR), mapping of all ecologically sensitive areas, Urban Greens, Town Planning Schemes (TPS) etc.
Pertinent to mention that the Master Plan is in sync with the Smart City proposals approved by the Governor’s Administration earlier.
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