Jammu: A very relieving and big news has come to the fore for the traders of Satwari Chowk and Nai Basti area of Jammu. The years-old rehabilitation dispute of 33 legitimate shopkeepers displaced due to road widening under the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project has finally been resolved. The Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued formal administrative approval to rehabilitate these affected shopkeepers and kiosk operators. This decision has brought a wave of happiness among those shopkeepers whose livelihood was under threat for a long time. Modern market will be built on three kanal land in Gol Gujral Under the official order issued by the government, it has been decided to transfer three kanals of government land of Khasra No. 746 located at Gol Gujral village to Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for the rehabilitation of displaced shopkeepers. A new and modern market will be developed by Jammu Municipal Corporation on this land. All 33 legitimate shopkeepers and kiosk operators who came under the influence of road widening will be completely rehabilitated by allotting shops in this new market. Only legitimate shopkeepers benefit, shock to 6 illegal occupants Citing transparency and rules, the government has also added a very important condition in the administrative order. It has been clarified in the order that the benefit of this welfare scheme of rehabilitation will be given only to those shopkeepers who had valid documents and shops in the past. The 6 illegal encroachers identified during the investigation have been completely excluded from this scheme. They will not be allotted any place or alternative shop in the new Municipal Corporation Market to be built in Gol Gujral. Years old struggle and livelihood crisis It is noteworthy that due to the ambitious infrastructure project like Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, it was extremely necessary to widen the road from Satwari Chowk to Nai Basti. In this process, notices to remove the shops were given to the traders who were supporting their families by running their small shops and kiosks there for years. Due to the order to remove the shops without any alternative arrangement or place, these shopkeepers were in great fear of losing their livelihood. In protest against this, the traders held peaceful demonstrations for a long time, held several rounds of meetings with the administration and continuously raised the demand for rehabilitation. This matter passed through political corridors and finally reached the Assembly. Government approved funds, market will be equipped with basic facilities To make the rehabilitation process smooth and transparent, the government has not only allotted land but has also made arrangements for necessary financial funds. Administrative approval has been given for the necessary funds for the construction of the new market. Apart from this, the ex-gratia amount received under the provisions of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Act has also been ordered to be transferred to the account of Jammu Municipal Corporation, so that the entire expenditure of the rehabilitation project can be met without any financial hindrance. Commissioner Ramesh Kumar’s committee will monitor The responsibility of completing this entire displacement and rehabilitation process in a peaceful and timely manner has been entrusted to a high level committee. This special committee, headed by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, will closely monitor the entire construction work and allotment process. The committee will ensure that not only shops are built in the new market to be built in Gol Gujral, but also paved roads, uninterrupted power supply, clean drinking water, scientific drainage system and all other necessary basic civic amenities are provided on priority basis. After this activeness and formal order of the administration, now the hopes of the displaced shopkeepers about their bright future and getting their business back on track have been fully awakened.
star_border
