Jammu, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir government Monday directed the administration to expedite the process for holding elections to the Urban Local Bodies across the state. The state Cabinet, which met here today with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in chair, took strong notice of the delay in finalization process for holding of the elections and desired that all the process should be completed at the earliest, official sources told Greater Kashmir.
They said that Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary Madhav Lal to hold an early meeting with Chief Electoral Officer to finalize the process for holding the elections after consultation with Housing and Urban Development Department.“The CM desired that all the impediments shall be cleared at the earliest so that the elections could be announced before March 2013.”
In September this year, the Cabinet had decided to hold the elections in December this year but the process was delayed due to the electoral revision and subsequent polls for four seats of Legislative Council.
The elections to the ULBs were due in February 2010 after the previous elected bodies completed their terms.
 The last elections to the urban bodies were held after a gap of 26 years.
Jammu and Kashmir has around 87 Municipal Councils and Committees. There are also 68 Municipal wards in Srinagar and 71 in Jammu.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal of Health Department for creation of 322 posts of Dental Assistants for various health institutions across the state.
The proposal for the construction of canal from Basantpur to upstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam near village Satwain falling in district Kathua was, however, deferred by the Cabinet after objections raised by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather.
The proposed canal is to be constructed from the Satwain side of the reservoir and through a six kilometer tunnel it will be brought at Basantpur lift station through Sukhal nallah without help from Punjab, which has denied the state its share since 1979 when the dam was constructed.
Sources said the Cabinet directed the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to get the legal opinion from Attorney General of India over the issue before the same could be approved.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST