Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, June 3: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary conducted extensive tour of Basohli and Bani to take detailed review of all ongoing schemes of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department .
He also interacted with the people who apprised him with their problems and demands .
At Basohli, deputations from village Palai, Tardi, Pathayara, Batara, Kudera, Pola apprised the Minister with their demands related to improving water supply, shortage of PHE staff and installing hand pumps at Govt. Schools. After taking stock of their problem, the Minister immediately directed the concerned officers to take requisite steps to resolve the issues.
While addressing the public, the Minister said that the Government is committed to improve all basic amenities for the people in all three regions of the State, especially in the rural and far-flung areas. He further said that focused attention is being laid on upgrading the existing infrastructure of all vital sectors, like PHE, Health, Education, Road Connectivity and there is a sea change in the situation and improvement is visible on ground.
Later at Bani, the Minister kick started works of water supply scheme (WSS) Sarthali which will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 56.73 lakh.
MLA Bani, Jivan Lal in his address said that besides various other developmental works 13 road projects at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore under PMGSY are underway in Bani to give fillip to the road connectivity.
Later, during a meeting convened with the concerned officers of the department Minister held threadbare discussions on envisaging new schemes for areas having acute shortage of water.
The Minister took a comprehensive review of the physical and financial progress of the ongoing works and asked the concerned officers to ensure timelines fixed are strictly adhered to so that water supply can be augmented in these areas . He said that this fiscal the focus will be laid on better coverage of small habitations by installing hand pumps.
He also stressed upon the officers to take up projects catering to the sustainable needs of the area .
Among others Chief Engineer PHE, Susheel Aima; Chief Engineer Flood Control, Rajeev Gandotra; XENs/ AEEs of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, SDMs of Basohli and Bani besides other senior officers were accompanying the ministers during his tour.
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