Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: Continuing with the drive to bring the administration at door step and redress the grievances of people, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand on second consecutive day today visited far-flung border areas.
Series of public rallies were held at Selanwali, Jangiwala, Panyali, Pahariwala, Sarmala, Patyari, Naryana, Masyal and Dhaleri.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Akhnoor N.S.Jamwal, Superintendent of Police along with other senior officers and engineers of different departments were present during the tour.
Addressing rally at Selanwali, the Deputy Chief Minister said empowerment of people at grass root level, SKEWPY and Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) are landmark initiatives of the Government to strengthen democracy and make administration accountable to people, besides addressing burgeoning problem of unemployment. Panchayati Raj Institutions have been made functional by giving powers to take up projects of minor nature and now de-silting of distributaries, kools etc. can be undertaken at panchayat level, he added.
In order to address the potable water requirements of people of the area, on the spot directions were issued to the PHE authorities to explore option of interconnecting tube wells, so that in case of failure of one source the demand can be met by sharing from other sources.
He passed instructions to the SDM to identify household to be covered under Integrated Low Cost Sanitation (ILCS) scheme for construction of toilets.
He called upon youth of the area to derive maximum benefit from employment oriented schemes initiated by the Government. He said flagship schemes like SKEWPY have ample scope to help youth in starting their own ventures and be master of their own destiny, adding that these schemes have provision of stipends for the registered unemployed and go a long way in promoting entrepreneurship among young force.
5 IAY benefit cheques of Rs 25,000 were distributed to beneficiaries at Pahariwala and Rs 1 lakh were sanctioned for construction of boundary wall of the local Middle school under CDF. Directions were given to the concerned officers for opening of an Anganwari centre.
While responding to the demands of potable water at Jangiwala, Mr. Tara Chand sanctioned 15 shallow hand pumps and directions were issued to the local Panchayat for identifying deserving cases of houseless to be covered IAY benefits.
He said the Government is working on the roadmap for all out development of all regions and sub-regions of the State and exemplary steps have been taken for ushering the State into a new era of development and progress.