• Also reviews Rent Assessment Cases in Poonch

POONCH: Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal today chaired a meeting today at the DC office to assess the ongoing projects and operational efficiency of the Municipal Councils of Poonch and Surankote.

During the meeting, it was reported that four significant projects are underway in Poonch town, including the remodeling of the bus stand, construction of clock towers at Nakha Wali Chowk, the city entrance gate at SK Bridge, and beautification initiatives throughout the town.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of installing a large screen television at the clock tower for traffic management, weather updates, and displaying a digital clock. He also instructed officials to prioritize the cleaning of Nallahs and to explore internal revenue sources such as lorry adda charges, asset rentals, and shop leases.

Deputy Commissioner inquired about the implementation of the door-to-door garbage collection system and asked for details on the number of vehicles utilized for waste collection. He stressed the need for improved cleanliness in the drainage system of both Poonch and Surankote towns.

In alignment with bio-mining efforts, the Deputy Commissioner directed the municipal council to expedite the clearance of all the waste. Discussions also covered water supply schemes and the ongoing construction of public toilets, with seven projects in Poonch town and five in Surankote town.

The Deputy Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing the infrastructure and sanitation of the towns, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient environment for residents. The Deputy Commissioner also chaired a meeting to evaluate rent assessment cases concerning various departments operating from rented accommodations across the district.

The meeting involved comprehensive discussions with representatives from concerned departments and property owners. Key topics included the rental agreements for departments such as Education, KVK, Health, Handicrafts, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Revenue, Sericulture, Social Welfare, Sports State Taxes and others.

After thorough deliberation, the committee reviewed 27 cases, ultimately approving 23. The Deputy Commissioner instructed the concerned officers to expedite the payment of rents in accordance with the rates established during the meeting.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here