In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family

SRINAGAR: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today chaired an introductory-cum-review meeting with officers representing all wings of the Corporation, underscoring the need to make municipal services more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens.

The meeting focused on reviewing the functioning of various wings, assessing ongoing developmental works, strengthening sanitation and cleanliness mechanisms, improving public grievance redressal and identifying priority areas requiring immediate attention.

Taking a comprehensive overview of the Corporation’s activities, the Commissioner reviewed departmental responsibilities, the progress of ongoing works, operational challenges and service delivery mechanisms. He emphasised that citizen welfare, efficient civic services and accountable administration must remain at the core of SMC’s functioning.

Dr. Basharat Qayoom stressed the need for a proactive and time-bound approach to public grievance redressal, directing officers to ensure that complaints received through various channels are addressed promptly and followed through to their logical conclusion. He emphasised that citizens must experience tangible improvements in municipal services, with particular attention to responsiveness, transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the importance of sanitation and cleanliness in maintaining the city’s civic standards, the Commissioner called for strengthened coordination among the concerned wings to ensure effective sanitation operations, improved waste management and sustained cleanliness across Srinagar. He stressed that field-level monitoring and timely intervention are essential for resolving sanitation-related issues and maintaining public spaces.

The Commissioner also underscored the need for close monitoring of developmental works, adherence to prescribed timelines and optimum utilisation of available resources. He called upon officers to identify bottlenecks, expedite pending works and ensure that development initiatives translate into visible and meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.

Emphasising coordinated functioning across departments, Dr. Basharat Qayoom directed all wings to work in close synergy, strengthen internal monitoring mechanisms and adopt a result-oriented approach to municipal administration. He stressed that accountability must be reflected in measurable outcomes, timely service delivery and effective resolution of public concerns.

The Commissioner further called for active participation from all departmental heads in identifying gaps in service delivery and proposing practical measures to enhance institutional efficiency, improve operational performance and strengthen public trust in the Corporation.

The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on inter-departmental coordination, professional accountability and effective implementation of civic priorities, with the objective of ensuring cleaner neighbourhoods, improved civic infrastructure, faster grievance redressal and more responsive, citizen-centric municipal governance across Srinagar.

The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner, Administration, SMC; Joint Commissioner, Revenue and Enforcement (R&E), SMC; Joint Commissioner, Works, SMC; Joint Commissioner, Sanitation, SMC; Joint Commissioner, Planning, SMC; Secretary, SMC; Financial Adviser/Chief Accounts Officer, SMC; Superintending Engineer, Drainage Circle, SMC; Health Officer, SMC; Municipal Veterinary Officer, SMC; Deputy Director, Planning and Monitoring, SMC; and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), SMC.

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A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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