Excelsior Correspondent
![Dy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and Minister for Industries, Chander Parkash Ganga chairing a board meeting at Kathua on Saturday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/page76-300x181.jpg)
KATHUA, Oct 17: Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, who is also the chairman of District Development Board Kathua today reviewed the progress on implementation of DDB decisions at a high level meeting.
DDC Kathua Romesh Kumar briefed the meeting about the physical and financial progress achieved under different schemes in the district.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh called for full utilization of the available funds and completion of ongoing projects within stipulated time. He stressed for early completion of water supply schemes especially in hilly and far off areas. He impressed upon the PHE, PDD and PWD to make constituency wise comprehensive plan to meet the developmental needs so that benefits of the scheme reach the ultimate beneficiaries.
Expressing concern over the complaints of substandard material being used in the construction work, Deputy Chief Minister directed Deputy Commissioner to conduct inquiry so that action against the culprits will be taken. He also called upon the officers to apply innovative ideas while formulating plans for the benefit and welfare of common man.
Expressing concern over drug trafficking/drug abuse in the district, Ganga directed the DC Kathua and SSP Kathua to make provision for Rehabilitation Centres in the district. He also directed Health Department to provide doctors for the treatment and counseling of drug addicts.
DC Kathua was directed to start a drive regarding ‘Laadli Beti Scheme’ in the district involving all stakeholders and educate them about the benefits of the scheme. He said the scheme will help to improve the sex ratio.
Chander Parkash called for identifying land for check dams in catchment areas so that flood water can be utilized for irrigation purpose. He also exhorted upon the officers to consult the elected MLAs while planning the development projects/ schemes of their respective departments.
MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia highlighted the issues relating to funds for lanes and drains, funds for parking spots at identified locations in Kathua town, funds for modern bus terminal and provision for indoor stadium.
He also highlighted the issues related to the procurement of food-grains for farmers and early taking up of Shahpur Kandi Irrigation scheme. He also demanded augmentation of existing PDD workshop at Kathua. He also demanded that BRO road from Parmanand to Nagri should be taken up on priority so that connectivity for the vast habitations can be ensured.
MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj apprised the meeting about the conditions of border roads and demanded focus on the improvement of road connectivity in tehsil Hiranagar. He also demanded the provision of funds for the repairs of transformers in his constituency and compensation of Crop Damages (Khraba).
MLA Bani Jeewan Lal called for early completion of Degree College Building in Bani besides demanding arrangements to address the problem of shortage of staff in GDC Bani. He demanded action from PWD for early submission of status of building of Government High school Duggain and news posts of school teachers in upgraded high schools of Sadrota and Daula. Demand Staff in three Health Sub-Centres in Lohai Malhar block and commissioning of ‘Apni Mandi’ project under horticulture was also projected by MLA Bani.
Chairman, Scheduled Caste Development Advisory Board Bhushan Lal Dogra (Member DDB) called upon the Chairman to adopt the scheme of free tuition by Government teachers for poor children in the state on the line of Central Government.