Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today reviewed the security situation in the State with senior civil and police officials, who briefed him about the measures taken to check cross border infiltration along Indo-Pak border.
Mufti reviewed measures being put in place by security agencies for strict vigil on the borders and in other areas in the State, an official spokesman said.
The Chief Minister got the firsthand appraisal from the security agencies, particularly police on security as well as law-and-order situation.
On the security and law-and-order fronts, Sayeed was briefed about the steps taken post-Raj Bagh attack in Kathua and to fortify the security grid in the light of threat of infiltration from across the International Border and Line of Control.
On the issue of prevention of crime, Sayeed said effective steps have to be taken to check drug trafficking which is playing havoc in the life of our youth, the spokesperson said.
He also laid emphasis on motivating youngsters towards taking up sports activities in a big way.
Chairing a high-level meeting of senior civil and police officers, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, this morning, Mufti Sayeed reviewed measures being put in place by the administration in good governance, strict vigil on the borders, efficient utilization of Centrally-Sponsored Schemes and commitment to social sectors like health and education.
The Chief Minister was briefed about the security and development scenario by DGP, K Rajendra and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, respectively, followed by briefings by the Deputy Commissioners and the District Superintendents of Police.
Laying stress upon bringing in greater synergy between the civil and police administration to make the system fair and accountable, Mufti Sayeed described the districts as basic units of micro-governance that should work in complete harmony for bringing in a discernible change on the ground.
“The system needs to be revamped to make it corruption-free and transparent. People need good roads, regular power and water-supply and prompt resolution of their day-to-day problems,” he said, while stressing upon the need to establish a single window system at the district-level to provide hassle-free public services.
Underscoring the urgent need to build infrastructure in housing and urban sectors by implementing schemes for development of small and medium towns, the Chief Minister said the civic elections to municipal bodies will be held soon so that funds withheld by the Union Government are received without any further delay.
Mufti Sayeed also ascertained the preparedness of the administration towards smooth conduct of ensuing Amarnath Yatra by ensuring roadworthiness of National Highway IA.
“Improvement in condition of roads on NH IA and restoration of important public utility services that have been affected by prolonged spells of rain should be the prime concern of the divisional administration,” he said, while emphasizing upon improving the condition of alternate highways like Mughal Road and Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road on NH IB.
He expressed serious concern over the deplorable condition of road stretch from Ramban to Banihal on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which usually breaks down, leading to frequent closures. He asked the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with the Union Ministry of Surface Transport so that permanent remedial measures are initiated to make it roadworthy.
Mufti Sayeed also received a brief about the action taken by the administration to mitigate difficulties on various counts as also its preparedness to be alert to face any eventualities. He was also informed by the Divisional Commissioner about sliding away of certain portions of road on NH IA due to persistent rains which have rendered it vulnerable, leading to possible disruption in movement of essential supplies to remote areas during road closure.
Asking the administration to expedite issues of land acquisition for laying new infrastructure in the districts under various schemes, the Chief Minister stressed upon identification of State land for establishing newly-sanctioned medical and model degree colleges in the State by the Union Ministries of Health & Family Welfare & MHRD.
“We will lay focus on introducing new job-driven courses in our degree colleges and strengthen the institutions of social welfare,” he said while calling for proper utilization of funds under Border Area Development Programme.
Referring to the appointment of doctors and teachers, the Chief Minister said the district cadre is being further strengthened to address the issue of understaffing in health and education sectors. He asked the Chief Secretary to monitor the policy so that the issue of understaffing in various districts is addressed on priority.
Mufti Sayeed also issued instructions to the divisional Administration to complete assessment of damage afflicted to standing crops by untimely rains and hailstorms in the Jammu division and assured that the farmers will be adequately compensated.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said the Government is geared up to face any challenge on the law-and-order front. He said the confidence of the people in the new Government has grown ever since it took over and all steps will be taken to provide hassle-free delivery of public services.
He laid stress on posting of efficient police officers in the lower grid in rural areas of the division to check incidents of crime. He raised the issue of enhancing the monthly stipend of SPOs from present Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6,000.
Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary, Home, B R Sharma, DGP, K. Rajendra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas, Commissioner/Secretary, GAD, M A Bukhari, IGP CID, A G Mir, IGP Crime, Munir Khan, IGP, Jammu Zone, Danish Rana, DIGs of all Ranges and Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Reasi districts attended the meeting.
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