Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, May 5: Minister of State for PWD (R&B) and Revenue, Sunil Sharma today reviewed the functioning the Panchayati Raj Institutions of District Kishtwar at a joint meeting of Sarpanchs and Panchs and officers.
The Minister also took stock of the grievances and problems being faced by the people living in different parts of the district.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Assistant Commissioner Development Kishtwar, Executive Engineer PWD, PHE, PDD, PMGSY and Irrigation, besides other District and Sectoral Officers also attended the meeting.
Addressing the Sarpanchs and Panchs, Mr. Sharma said the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are inseparable part of the democratic setup. “PRIs have the first hand knowledge of problems and issues of rural people so these need to be strengthened and involved in planning of developmental schemes for optimum results,” he said.
Mr. Sharma directed all the concerned departments to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in planning and implementation of schemes and developmental programmes. He said the Government is keen to provide all basic amenities to the people living in rural areas including better road connectivity, healthcare, quality education, adequate drinking water and power supply and timely supply of essential commodities. He said recent rains and landslides disrupted the supply of essentials and efforts are being made by the Government to restore the issue.
Regarding supply of rations to far flung areas like Marwah, Dacchan, Warvan and Padder, Mr. Sharma said the Government has decided to stock rations for 6 months in the areas that remain cut off during winters. He said rations would be supplied and stocked during September every year which will also cut the expenditure on transportation.
He said to strengthen the road network in the district, detailed project reports are being prepared to connect the unconnected habitations and upgrade the existing roads. He said 33 road projects involving an expenditure of Rs 25 crore are being taken up in the district in one go. He said the road projects include both links within the Kishtwar town and beyond. He informed that the tenders will be floated within few days to ensure early work.
Highlighting the role of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the development of rural areas, he said these can provide effective feedback to the Government about the implementation of the schemes so that necessary steps are taken to remove the bottlenecks if any. He also called upon the PRI representatives to keep close eye on the quality of developmental works in their respective areas.
During the meeting, the Panchayat representatives presented various demands which include restoration of blocked roads, posting of adequate staff in schools and healthcare institutions, opening of more health centres and schools, payment of work done claims under MGNREGA, plantation of trees through Forest Department in various parts of the district, augmentation of potable water supply, improvement of roads, improvement in power distribution system, repair/replacement of damaged transformers besides various other demands.
The Minister gave a patient hearing and issued on the spot instructions to the concerned departments for early action.
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