Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 2: Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia today convened various public meetings to take stock of grievances and demands of the people.
During the day long tour, the Minister visited Malshah, Nai Basti, Khokhre Chak and Chak Jawar in Vijaypur block and listened to the problems of the people.
While addressing the public meeting at Malshah, Mr. Slathia said that the Coalition Government is committed to provide all basic amenities to the people of the state especially living in rural and far off pockets. He said that Government is providing adequate opportunities of jobs, development and other facilities to the people with focus on rural areas. The education, health, road connectivity, PHE sectors remained areas of priority and massive development in these sectors has taken place, he added.
People from Malshah and adjoining areas apprised the Minister about their demands which mainly included installation of transformer, construction of ladies bathroom, upgradation of various link roads, community hall and various other demands.
Responding to their demands, Mr. Slathia announced construction of Ladies Bathroom, installation of hand pump Mark-II and transformers for the area.
The Minister also dedicated Ladies Bathroom at Nai Basti Mahalshah under Scheme BADP MV Abtal completed at a cost of Rs. 3.29 lakh. Interacting with people in a public meeting at Nai Basti, the Minister listened to the demands of the people of the area. He directed the concerned officers to take necessary steps for redressing the genuine grievances at the earliest. The Minister also announced installation of hand-pump in the area.
Later, during his visit to Chak Jawar, the Minister inaugurated newly constructed lanes/drains completed at a cost of Rs. 6 lakh under Scheme BAPD Model Village Abtal (Cluster Area Approach.
The local people demanded tube-well at Chak Jawar, construction of nallah, replacement of old electric wires, street lights, etc.
While responding, the Minister onspot gave instruction to the Engineer PDD for early replacement of old electric wires besides assured the people that the tube-well would also be constructed soon to mitigate the water scarcity. He also said that a community hall would be constructed soon in the area.
On the occasion, the Minister directed the concerned officers to identify the deserving people to be covered under IAY and Widow Pension Scheme as demanded by the locals.