Srinagar, October 19 (KNS): The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), Jammu and Kashmir, has welcomed the ongoing public debate on the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) law, while calling for safeguards to protect the Union Territory’s fragile ecology, statutory planning, public safety and educational standards.
In a statement issued on Monday, GCC said that simplifying procedures, ensuring time-bound approvals and removing redundant clearances were essential for promoting investment, employment and economic opportunities. However, it stressed that these measures should not weaken statutory planning, building safety or public accountability.
The group flagged concerns over Sections 22 and 30 of the Act, particularly provisions relating to relaxation of Master Plan conditions, deemed change of land use and the overriding effect of certain provisions. It called for greater clarity to ensure that urban and regional planning laws, Master Plans, development-control regulations and building-safety standards were not displaced by implication.
GCC also cautioned that the Negative List could not substitute for location-specific planning and infrastructure assessments. It stressed that road access, drainage, sewerage, utilities and environmental capacity must be considered before permitting development.
The group sought clarification on the provision allowing residential buildings up to 24 metres without prior permission, emphasising that exemptions should not dilute requirements relating to floor area ratio (FAR), ground coverage, setbacks, road width, access, fire safety and infrastructure capacity.
It also called for clear safeguards governing the proposed moratorium on inspections, stating that authorities must retain the power to act on complaints, suspected violations and unauthorised or unsafe construction.
Raising concerns over educational institutions, GCC said that procedural exemptions must not undermine the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, the J&K School Education Act, 2002, and relevant standards envisaged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The group stressed that schools and colleges must meet minimum requirements relating to site suitability, basic infrastructure, sanitation, fire and life safety, availability of teachers and governance.
GCC also called for transparent rules for industrial-plot allotment, safeguards against speculative holding and unauthorised changes of use, and measures to promote employment for local residents. It further sought clear qualification, accountability and grievance-redressal standards for professionals registered or empanelled outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The group urged the government to clearly define departmental responsibilities, technical scrutiny, verification procedures and enforcement mechanisms, while ensuring that rules framed under the Act remain consistent with the parent legislation.
Listing eight action points, GCC called for clarification of the relationship between Sections 22 and 30; protection of planning and environmental safeguards; clarification of the 24-metre building exemption; clear inspection and enforcement provisions; protection of education-related statutory requirements; transparent industrial-plot allotment rules; accountability standards for professionals; and publication of departmental responsibilities and verification mechanisms.
GCC said deficiencies in existing Master Plans and enforcement mechanisms should be addressed by updating plans, strengthening institutions and eliminating arbitrary procedures rather than making statutory planning optional.
“The choice before Jammu and Kashmir is not between entrepreneurship and ecology, or between Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living,” the statement said, adding that procedures should be simplified without compromising statutory planning, educational standards, public safety or public welfare.(KNS)
