Srinagar: National Conference legislators from Srinagar boycotted a crucial meeting  called by the government to discuss Srinagar city’s new Master Plan.

Officials said that the minister for housing and urban development had called a meeting at the civil secretariat to decide on some crucial issues pertaining to the ongoing revamp of the Srinagar’s Master Plan and to take necessary feedback.

But sources said that the NC legislators from Srinagar constituency boycotted the meeting. In Srinagar, five Assembly constituencies are led by ruling People’s Democratic Party, while three belong to NC.

NC legislator from Eidgah constituency Mubark Gul confirmed that the NC legislators boycotted the meeting.

“All of us were of the opinion that the presentation should be given in the SKICC or banquet hall here in Srinagar but they turned down our request and called meeting in the civil secretariat,” Gul said.

NC general secretary Ali Mohmmad Sagar said that he personally informed the minister about their decision of not attending the meeting.

“First of all we were not given the draft of the master plan, secondly it was a breach of protocol as officers were listed ahead of MLAs,” Sagar said.

Housing and Urban Development Department, had called a high-level meeting in civil secretariat to discuss the “ways and means” to finalize the draft of Master Plan which later would be submitted to the state cabinet for its approval.

When contacted minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Asiea Naqash said NC members should have attended the meeting to put forward their suggestions.

“Government is sincere in implementation of the Srinagar master plan. We invite Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahab for his for his suggestions. We feel feels that his suggestions would be very useful,” Naqash maintained.

Meanwhile sources said that Minister Sat Pal Sharma reviewed the progress of the Srinagar Master Plan-2035.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Asiea Naqash was also present on the occasion.

Sources said that Sharma asked the officers to fine-tune the plan in accordance with the surging population of Srinagar.

The new draft of Srinagar Master Plan has envisioned increase in Srinagar local area from the existing 416 Sq Km to 766 Sq Km – 82 percent increase from the existing Master Plan limits. (KNS)