Vikram Randhawa highlights JMC, JDA, Housing Board malfunctioning in J&K
Jammu, 31 May 2025: Senior BJP leader and MLA from Bahu Assembly Constituency, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, addressed a press conference at the J&K BJP Headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
During the conference, the MLA highlighted the malfunctioning in three key departments: Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Jammu Development Authority (JDA), and Jammu & Kashmir Housing Board.
Ch. Vikram Randhawa was accompanied by BJP Mandal Presidents Rahul Kumar, Nitish Gupta, and Surjit Sonu on the occasion.
While addressing the press, Randhawa strongly condemned the inefficiencies in the Revenue, Finance, and Housing & Urban Development departments, all of which fall under the ambit of the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir.
He expressed concern that the recently passed Budget has yet to be implemented in J&K. As an elected public representative in the J&K Assembly, he said he is pained to witness the failure to secure Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for developmental works in his constituency.
Randhawa remarked that while the Modi government at the Centre is ensuring fast-paced development in Jammu & Kashmir, the NC-led government has been failing on the development front.
Citing the utter failure of the Revenue Department, he brought attention to the issue of Gair Mumkin Khad, commonly seen in Jammu’s landscape but left unattended. He noted that due to restrictions on the sale and purchase of these lands, local residents are facing significant hardships, and the government exchequer is also suffering losses.
The MLA was vocal about the insensitivity prevalent in the Housing, JDA, and JMC departments, which, according to him, are subjecting locals to serious hardships. He stressed that the Bahu Assembly Constituency is among the worst affected due to the apathy of these departments.
Randhawa criticized the delay in granting Free-Hold rights in the Gandhi Nagar area by the Housing Board. He pointed out that weak policy implementation is causing delays in necessary procurements and changes in the nomenclature or ownership (Maliki) of documents required for various purposes.
He questioned why residents are not considered rightful owners (Malik) of their purchased lands and raised concerns about the imposition of hefty charges for changes in ownership when the full payment had already been made in the past.
He further questioned the lack of proper registration and regularization of shops and markets in Gandhi Nagar, arguing that the development of the area must align with present-day needs. He alleged that people are being harassed under outdated rules by the concerned departments.
Randhawa also brought up the issue of shop allotments in the Fruit/Sabzi Mandi in Narwal, which were originally made by the JDA in the 1980s on a 40-year lease. He said that even after five years since the lease expired in 2020, shop owners are unable to apply for loans or carry out other legal processes due to the pending lease extensions. He described this as a serious injustice affecting the present and future of many hardworking people.
The MLA also raised a security concern, questioning why Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are being employed in various works under the JMC through NGOs. He called this a dangerous practice that must be checked immediately to avoid potential threats to regional security.
Ch. Vikram Randhawa urged the NC government to ensure minimal bureaucratic interference but maximum assistance to promote good governance. He reminded the government of its fundamental duty to serve the residents of Jammu & Kashmir.
