Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Sept 8: Minister of State for Cooperatives, Finance & Planning, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today laid foundation stone of Panchayat Ghar building of Halqa Thaintu besides inaugurating additional building of Middle School Thaintu at Billawar.
The Panchayat Ghar building will be constructed with an estimated cost of 20 lakh by the Rural Development Department whereas the newly built additional school building of the middle school has been constructed with Rs. 6.60 lakh under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.
Later, the Minister convened a public meeting to listen the problems and demands of the people besides taking stock of ongoing development works being executed under different schemes.
The Sarpanchs and Panchs of Thaintu, Barota, Harnota, Aglidhar, Gurha Kalyal and Dramni apprised the Minister of their problems and demands which were related to adequate drinking water supply, uninterrupted power supply, up gradation of middle school Thaintu and high school Gurha Kalyal, filling up of vacant posts of teachers, funds for repair of old school building of middle school Thaintu, handpumps, cremation shed and construction of circular road Thaintu.
The Minister instructed the concerned officers to look into the issues of the people and sort out the same within shortest possible time.
Dr Sharma said Government is keen to fully utilize the panchayats for speedy development in every part of the State. He said panchs and sarpanchs must act according to the aspirations of the people irrespective of caste, section or religion.
Responding to the demands of the people, the Minister announced Rs. 50,000 for repair of class rooms of old building of middle school Thaintu besides announcing two hand pumps for the area.
Dr Sharma directed PWD Department to start the construction work of circular road Thaintu at the earliest. He also assured funds for construction of a cremation shed.
Among others SDM Billawar, Vikas Gupta, Assistant Commissioner Development, Kathua, Tehsildar Billawar, BDO Billawar, AEE, PHE, AEE Irrigation, AEE, PWD, Panchs and Sarpanchs and large number of people were present on the occasion.