Omkar Dattatray
The government in a democracy works for the welfare of the masses but unfortunately in today's India under the pretext of digitization and development, people's welfare seems to be the least and last priority of the so called democratic leaders and the government. The welfare of the citizens is the touchstone for any government project. So far as the welfare of the citizen is concerned, the government is supposed not to do anything which jeopardizes the welfare of the citizens. Under the garb of modernization, digitization and development, no such step should be taken which is against the citizen's welfare. Government of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is reported to plan the smart city concept and would be working for the proposed smart city of Jammu unmindful of its repercussions on the habitat of the people likely to be affected by the prospective laying down of the smart city. But the rulers should think twice before embarking of the proposed smart city in Jammu .Smart city concept is good but it should not be at the cost of the citizen's welfare at any cost and the powers should see to it that the citizens should not be dislocated while affecting the smart city mission. Development, urbanization and digitization are not needed if it is at the cost of the people's welfare. These days there is fear, doubt and frustration among the citizens of Gole Gujral area so for as the laying down of the proposed smart city is concerned. The LG's government of Jammu and Kashmir should be sensitive to the feelings and apprehensions of the people likely to be affected by the proposed smart city project and should ensure that nothing should be done which goes against the interests of the citizens. There is fear and confusion among the people of the Gole Gujral as they fear that there dwellings will be affected and they fear likely to be dislocation .The government of the day should see to it that the citizens are least dislocated and their houses and shops are not to be bulldozed in any circumstance whatever the reason .The government should ensure that there is minimum dislocation of the citizens as the people would like that they will not be disturbed by way of raising their houses to the ground and the people will not allow the powers to play with their future and lives and houses. People of the area likely to be affected have organized protests against this ill conceived move of the government. It has come to the notice of the people that the JDA has claimed and advertised in local papers that many khasra numbers is the land of the government but the pertinent question is where were the JDA all these seventy years and why have they not evicted the so called illegal occupants of the government land and why are they now hell bent to disturb the people of the area. It is also learnt that the authorities are planning to widen the main road of Gole Gujral and the link road connecting the area with new Tawi Bridge. Though the government can take the land, demolish the shops and buildings for public purpose but the government should pay compensation at the market rates to the people likely to be affected by the widening of the road. Instead of the smart city there is urgent need to repair all the roads of the Jammu and its periphery as these are in the dire need of repair and renovation as there are pot holes in all most all roads and they are not fit for the traffic. Government should take the initiative of repairing and macadamizing of all main and link roads of the Jammu which is the need of the hour. The government is insensitive to this problem and is least bothered about the state of affairs of the Jammu roads. The road connecting Jewal chowk with Bohri Anand Nagar is in dilapidated condition and it is very risky to play two wheelers and matadors and other four wheelers on this road. The Talab Tillo and Bohri road is in shambles and it is hazards to drive on this road. This road is not fit for the Pedestrians even. Therefore there is no need for the smart city but instead the government should focus on the civic amenities and provide the essential services to the people of Jammu and the smart city project should not be at the cost of the people's welfare in a welfare state .You cannot dislocate and disturb some five thousand house holders for the sake of smart city and their rehabilitation will be a big problem for the powers and this thing should be given a proper thought. Nothing should be done in haste for which the people have to face the brunt of dislocation .The LGs government should pay a proper heed to it .Are the powers listening is the moot question .The government should evict the Gujjars who have occupied the JDA-government land illegally at Tawi and should instead construct the flats on the said land but it is unlikely that the government will evict them.
(The writer is retired education officer and a columnist)
