Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Nov 15: Alleging that all the development works have been stalled in Ramnagar and Udhampur constituencies, a large number of National Panthers Party (NPP) workers held strong protest demonstration outside
Led by Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman of the party and former Minister and Balwant Singh Mankotia -state president, a large number of NPP activists assembled on Dhar Road and moved towards DC office gate. The protestors were raising slogans against the Coalition Govt and local administration for bringing the developmental works to a grinding halt in Ramnagar, Majalta, Udhampur and Basantgarh tehsils.
The party activists blocked the main road and staged a sit-in leading to suspension of vehicular traffic for more than one and half hour. Dharna was lifted only after DC Udhampur and SSP assured early action on the demands of the public. A memorandum was also submitted to the DC alleging large scale irregularities in the functioning of various Departments besides seeking immediate initiation of work on various developmental schemes.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Harsh Dev Singh called upon the DC Udhampur to take cognizance of the large scale irregularities and violations of norms in the preparation and renewal of BPL lists. Calling for a review of the said lists, he sought inclusion of the bonafide and eligible persons under norms and deletion of the fraudulent entries therein.
Strongly condemning the black marketing of ration by unscrupulous officials of CAPD, Mr Singh sought initiation of appropriate criminal proceedings against offending officials who had been caught red handed but had escaped unpunished due to political patronage and corruption plagued system. He called for early operationatization of Rs 10 crore Krishi Vigyan Kendra sanctioned for Marta and ITI sanctioned for Kirmoo.
Balwant Singh Mankotia sought implementation of the High Court orders regarding enhancement of pensions to a minimum of Rs 1000 pm for widows, old age, handi-capped persons besides other under privileged people. He expressed concern over the gradual failure of MG-NREGA schemes and diversion of funds under the scheme to PMGSY schemes. He expressed his dismay over the utilization of MG-NREGA funds for the maintenance of PMGSY roads.