SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government is mulling to dissolve Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) over extortion, instability, infighting, and turmoil.
Well-placed sources said the government is considering holding a fresh election in November.
This follows serious allegations of graft and impropriety against the corporators.
Sources said the government has received complaints of extortion by some elected representatives. There are also have been instances of misbehavior with senior officers by some elected representatives.
Sources said frequent no-confidence motions are also the reason for the government to consider holding a fresh poll.
Highly placed sources said it is learnt that huge sums of money are demanded by elected representatives for their votes during the no-confidence motion.
In contrast, Jammu Municipal Corporation has not seen a single no-confidence motion in almost 4 years. So far SMC has witnessed nearly 5 no-confidence motions. Sources said the government believes that the no-confidence motions are means of extortion.
Sources said repeated instances of mudslinging are in contrast to the government’s goal of a healthy decentralized urban local governance mechanism.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has 73 wards, while as Municipal Corporation of Jammu consists of 71 wards.
Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, who is seen flanking LG on the latter’s City visits, has also reportedly expressed his unhappiness over the current state of affairs.
“The SMC top brass is concerned over repeated extortion and mudslinging by some Corporators who are putting hurdles to the smooth functioning of the Corporation and for delivery of major developmental initiatives by SMC”, said an SMC insider adding that the uncertainty and infighting were now visible in the atmosphere inside the SMC premises
Mayor SMC and Commissioner SMC could not be reached for their comments.
