Jammu locals allege bias in allotment of rehris

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 18

The issuance of licences for installing kiosks and ‘rehris’ in Jammu is under the scanner.

The aim of providing space for food kiosks was to provide livelihood to people living below poverty line but on the contrary, it has become a nexus between the JMC and the influential.

It is alleged that the influential get the places of their choice for rehri allotment while others are given licences to work in the peripheries where customer rush is low.

The other major accusation is that licences are issued to the kith and kin of employees who are either in government service or are high-profile businessmen while the needy are ignored.

“I applied for a licence at Old Rehari, but was given permission to set up a kiosk in the Chhani area, which is at the periphery. I dropped the idea after that,” said Bishen Dass, a local labourer.

Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), JMC, Prem Singh said people come up with different demands but the rehris were allotted in specified zones only.

“Regarding corrupt practices, no case has been reported so far ever since I took over. But I will look into past records and if I find any irregularity, it will be dealt with,” Prem Singh said.

Besides, the Jammu Municipal Corporation’s (JMC) recent drive to decongest the city by removing rehris on the highway is being seen as a security threat as the area where they are being put up is a high-profile security zone.

In order to decongest densely populated areas, the JMC started a drive to remove rehris and provide space on the national highway near Presentation Convent School.

The area where the rehris are put up now is a high-sensitive zone with the Army’s Tiger Brigade division in the front and residential areas on the back, which has led to a security threat.

“The column of rehris on the back of our house remains idle throughout the day as work starts in the evening. It has become day shelter for unknown people who keep thronging the area and can be a potential threat,” said a retired government employee in the area.

Senior Superintendent of Police (South) Vinay Sharma also agreed on the security concern in the area.

“Important offices and establishments are in the area but the JMC’s concern to decongest the city was a good move too. It should have identified some other area for the purpose,” the SSP said, adding, “The matter will be taken up with the JMC Commissioner and some alternative will be found”.