Jammu,27-Apr: Apni Party Trade Union members today protested against Jammu Municipal Corporation for its failure to provide basic amenities under Smart City Project in Jammu.Led by Apni Trade Union, Provincial President Jammu Raj Kumar Sharma and District President Jammu, Anirudh Vasist, the protesters assembled here at ward number 07 of Prem Nagar near Vivekanand Chowk and shouted slogans in support of their demands.The protesters alleged that the JMC has not been able to upgrade the basic amenities and in some of the localities the people are facing problems of basic need which should have been provided by the Corporation under Smart City Project.The protesters said that the project was launched with pump and show by the Govt but it has failed to achieve the set targets.“Jammu cannot be made smart with sign boards, making the free parking payable for the common people/shopkeepers/ local residents. The people are facing harassment on the name of Smart City which has yet to see light of the day,” Apni Trade Union Provincial President Jammu Raj Kumar Sharma said in his address.Sharma said that the footpaths have been encroached and in many city areas it seems they exist nowhere and hence, the people have to walk on the road side leading to road mishap.“There is no clarity on what the Corporation was to do in the name of Smart City. There is no proper procedure to collect the garbage and dispose of it. The sewerage system has also collapsed in the city,” District President Jammu, Anirudh Vasist.He said that “The departments also lack coordination like if one department completes repair work of the lanes and drains, another department comes for other works thereafter and thus, uproots the newly constructed lanes. Again, the same practice is adopted which exposes the lack of will power and poor planning with regard to the making of Jammu a dream Smart City.”Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully. Prominent among those who were present in the protest included District President SC Wing Vijay Mangotra, Provincial Joint Secretary Apni Trade Union, Sanjay Kumar, District General Secretary Sardeesh Rana, Harbajan Singh, Manjit Singh, Kamal Kumar, Manu Jagdish, Kamal Vicky, Raju Suresh, Viju Parsohtam and others.(CNS)
