Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: Seeking public cooperation to fulfill the endeavor of the Government to reach out to the neglected and ignored areas of the State, Minister for Forest, Ecology, Environment and Social Welfare, Bali Bhagat today asserted that the present regime is keen to develop backward and far-flung areas of the State.
Addressing a public meeting at Mohalla Bhagatian, Purkhoo, Mr. Bali stressed that extending basic amenities like safe drinking water, electricity, healthcare, education and road connectivity to all the people of the State is the priority of the Government.
Responding to the local needs and demands, the Minister said that Government is conscious of the difficulties faced by the people in the area. He said damaged roads in Raipur-Domana constituency will be repaired at the earliest and asked the R&B to submit plans in this regard along with plan for construction of a play ground. He called for constituting a committee for facilitating construction of Sulabh toilets and extending relief under the Indira Awas Yojana to the BPL families.
He also announced construction of waiting shed in the cremation ground and additional bathroom. He asked the PHE authorities to lay drinking water supply pipes in the water deficit areas of his home constituency.
Highlighting several welfare programmes and schemes to bring a healthy change in the living condition of poor and needy, Mr. Bali asked the departmental functionaries to make their sincere efforts in ensuring the benefits of State and Centrally sponsored schemes reach to the targeted population.
Mr. Bali said that Government has introduced new policy under various social welfare pension schemes for the benefit of beneficiaries. He said that under National Family Benefit Schemes (NFBS) the beneficiaries will now get Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000. He instructed the Social Welfare Department to organize awareness camps at block level to popularize these schemes.