RS PURA, Jun 15: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma has strongly criticized the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) for the difficulties being faced by residents of Miran Sahib Block due to the absence of a dedicated JDA office and a streamlined single-window clearance mechanism. He alleged that the prevailing system has resulted in unnecessary harassment and financial burden on hundreds of families across the region.
Addressing local residents and raising the issue publicly, Adv. Sharma pointed out that as many as 13 Panchayats of Miran Sahib Block fall under the jurisdiction of the JDA, making it mandatory for people to comply with various procedural requirements before undertaking construction activities. However, he said that the lack of a proper public facilitation mechanism and the absence of clearly defined guidelines have left people confused and vulnerable to repeated interruptions.
He alleged that many residents, after investing their hard-earned savings and obtaining residential or commercial loans from banks and financial institutions, commence construction of houses, shops, or business establishments only to find their work being abruptly halted by JDA authorities on the grounds of pending formalities.“People are willing to comply with the law and complete all required formalities, but the problem is that there is no easily accessible and comprehensive format available in the public domain detailing the exact requirements. Ordinary citizens are left running from one office to another without proper guidance,” Sharma said.
The former Sarpanch further claimed that the situation becomes more complicated when construction activities are stopped midway, causing substantial losses to families who are already burdened with loan repayments, rising construction costs, and contractual commitments. He observed that delays in obtaining approvals not only escalate project costs but also create mental stress and uncertainty among the affected families.
Adv. Sharma also expressed concern over what he described as the involvement of the local revenue administration in halting construction activities, saying that innocent people often become victims of administrative hurdles despite having no intention of violating any rules.“The common man should not suffer because of procedural ambiguities. Government agencies exist to facilitate public welfare, not to create obstacles for law-abiding citizens. People should be provided clear information and a transparent mechanism through which they can obtain approvals without facing unnecessary delays and repeated visits to different offices,” he remarked.
Highlighting the growing urban and semi-urban expansion in the Miran Sahib area, Sharma emphasized the need for the establishment of a full-fledged JDA office at Miran Sahib to cater specifically to the needs of the 13 Panchayats falling under its jurisdiction. Such an office, he said, would significantly reduce inconvenience and ensure quicker disposal of cases.
He further demanded the introduction of a single-window clearance system where all building-related permissions and approvals could be processed under one roof. According to him, this would eliminate confusion, improve transparency, and reduce the scope for bureaucratic delays.The BJP leader also called upon the JDA authorities to immediately publish and widely circulate a standardized checklist and application format containing all mandatory requirements, documents, and procedures for obtaining construction permissions. Making such information readily available, he said, would enable citizens to complete the necessary formalities in advance and prevent avoidable disruptions.
Adv. Sharma urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to take immediate cognizance of the issue and implement citizen-friendly reforms to ensure that development activities in rural and semi-urban areas are not hampered by procedural bottlenecks. He reiterated that the residents of Miran Sahib and adjoining Panchayats deserve a transparent, efficient, and accessible administrative system that supports development while safeguarding the interests of ordinary citizens. “The government must ensure that people are facilitated rather than frustrated. A dedicated JDA office, a single-window system, and clearly defined procedures are the need of the hour to end the hardship being faced by the public,” he asserted.