Dr Jitendra inaugurates 'orientation programme' for JK corporators, councillors

The programme is being organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), of which Dr Jitendra Singh is the national chairman. 

Director General IIPA S  N Tripathi is coordinating the programme, which is being attended by Mayor of Jammu Chandra Mohan Gupta, Deputy Mayor Purnima Sharma alongside other corporators and councillors from different Municipal bodies.

Dr Jitendra said, “For the first time, this year’s union budget talks about urban planning and development in a 25 year perspective when 50 percent of India will be living in urban areas.” 

Referring to the orientation programme on ‘Urban governance’ for municipal leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, he said the organisation of this course in the 75th years of Independence had special significance as India was undergoing a transition from semi-urban (25 percent plus) to urban majority society in the next 25 years. 

It was a symbol of economic growth as urbanisation was linked with expansion of manufacturing and services, he added.

The Minister pointed out that like the country as a whole, Jammu and Kashmir was also undergoing a changeover from 27 percent urban population in 2011 to halfway mark in coming decades. 

This journey posed a challenge to carry out urban sector reforms effectively as initiated by the country’s urban missions, the top government official said.

“The role of Jammu which is one of the oldest municipalities, created in 1930 and is the gateway of state is crucial to expedite economic development in the state,” Singh said.