Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today directed the officers to ensure that the benefits of welfare and development schemes percolates to the grassroots level. “The district is having a diverse topography and officers should ensure that the benefits of welfare initiatives and infrastructural development percolates to the grassroots level and the last habitable hamlets”, emphasised the Deputy Chief Minister.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing the officers during a review meeting to assess the progress on developmental activities in Anantnag district. The meeting was attended by MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir; MLA Kokernag, Zafar Ali Khatana; MLA Anantnag West, Abdul Majeed Bhat; MLA Bijbehara, Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri; MLA Shangus-Anantnag East, Riyaz Ahmad Khan and MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani besides District Development Commissioner, Syed Fakhrudin Hamid; Heads of Departments (HODs) and sectoral officers.
During the review of progress on various works, the Deputy Chief Minister was informed that the district administration has focussed on transforming the infrastructure, grievance redressal, heritage protection and priority based planning. He was apprised that as per standard practice, the district administration undertook quality analysis of grievances received in the district on JK Samadhan-Raabta to ensure that people’s grievances are addressed in a timely and quality manner.
While reviewing the status of proposed projects of public importance such as Mini Secretariat, district level auditorium and flyovers for traffic management, the Deputy Chief Minister noticed that these works have the potential to transform the district profile, ensuring ease of living for the people. The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed the works being executed in the infrastructure sector through a comprehensive assessment of Public Works Department (PWD), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Jal Shakti, KPDCL and others.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining high quality standards and adhering to project deadlines. He directed the officials to prioritise the pending projects and ensure early completion in all sectors. He instructed the officers to adhere to technical specifications and safety standards as well.
The Deputy Chief Minister, while assessing the social sectors such as health, education, social welfare, ICDS, POSHAN, emphasised that deliverables under these developmental initiatives needed to be made accessible to the beneficiaries to ensure effective implementation. In this regard, he issued specific directions with regard to functioning of hospitals, health care centres, Jan Aushadhi stores, Samagara Shikshka, PM SHRI, National Social Assistance Programme and POSHAN Abhiyan, among others.
The Deputy Chief Minister assessed working of various departments and sectors including Labour, JKRLM, Rural Development (MGNREGA), Fisheries, Agriculture, Dairying and others. He directed the officials to ensure that the enrolment under such schemes is done timely, as these sectors have potential to create employment opportunities for the youth.
With reference to the mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasised sustainable and judicious utilisation of mineral wealth of the district. He stated that the government has zero tolerance policy towards illegal mining. Meanwhile, the Legislators highlighted the issues of public importance concerning their respective constituencies.
Among others, these included construction of approach roads in their areas, road connectivity in the Scheduled Tribes and remote habitations, upgradation of healthcare facilities including Sub District and Trauma hospitals, construction of Dak Bungalow in Dooru, drinking water and irrigation augmentation, desilting of water canals, enhancement of Tourism activities in Pahalgam and Kokernag besides establishment of Industrial Training Institutes.
While highlighting the importance of elected representatives in ensuring speedy socio-economic transformation, the Deputy Chief Minister asked for considering the suggestions and feedback of the elected representatives while formulating development schemes so that these could reflect the local needs and demands. He assured the officers of government's full support in addressing challenges, if any.
The Deputy Chief Minister called for holding regular meetings with the elected representatives for effective monitoring and evaluation of all ongoing works to ensure transparency and accountability. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner presented a detailed overview of the developmental scenario of the District.