CM Abdullah reviews reorganisation proposals of Housing & Urban Development Department

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a meeting to review proposals for the reorganisation of departments and agencies under the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD), emphasising the need to strengthen institutional capacity to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability.

Officials said at the outset, Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur, presented a comprehensive overview of the proposed departmental reorganisation, aimed at restructuring various constituent bodies of the department to enhance operational efficiency, clarify roles and responsibilities and improve service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.

She informed the meeting that the proposals, which have received financial concurrence, seek to optimise human resource deployment, increase efficiency and strengthen urban governance mechanisms in Jammu & Kashmir.

Among the key proposals, the restructuring of the J&K Housing Board seeks to address the current staff imbalance—where over 50% of employees are Class IV—by rationalising and creating posts to improve technical capacity and overall functionality.

The reorganisation of the Lakes Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA) involves the re-designation of scientific and technical posts to align with Pollution Control Committee standards, along with rationalisation of administrative roles. This is expected to enhance scientific capabilities and eliminate redundancy.

For the Town Planning Organisation (TPO), the focus is on strengthening town planning functions to meet the growing demands of modern urban development. The restructuring includes creation of specialised units, establishment of policy cells, and realignment of field offices for better coordination and project execution, the meeting was informed.

The Architects Organisation, established in 1971 and responsible for high-value infrastructure projects across J&K, will also undergo structural changes to revitalise its functioning and align with present-day infrastructural needs.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), which has seen a significant expansion in functions following the 74th Constitutional Amendment, currently faces manpower and budgetary constraints. The proposed reorganisation aims to redefine its administrative setup for better efficiency and service delivery.

In the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for Jammu and Kashmir, the proposed restructuring addresses staffing gaps, administrative overlaps, and urban sanitation issues. The proposals discussed place particular emphasis on the creation of posts relating to environmental protection and rationalisation of enforcement and revenue staff.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the implementation of these proposals would significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Housing and Urban Development Department, generate substantial financial savings, and streamline urban governance across Jammu and Kashmir.

He affirmed that the reforms are aligned with the broader vision of sustainable urban development, transparency and administrative efficiency.