Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 17: The villagers of Katli in Samba district finally had a sigh of relief after an approach road and a culvert were constructed under MGNREGA connecting two villages Gowal and Katli after 70 years.
Residents of these villages said they had no road connectivity from past 70 years due to which they had to cross through an Army camp which was always a security risk for both the residents and Army alike.
After the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq stressed on the construction of durable assets under MGNREGA with preference to be given to rural connectivity, the department took up the task of construction of 1 KM road and culvert for the village by converging funds of MGNREGA with the 13th FC at the cost of just Rs 13.62 lakh.
Katli is the largest Panchayat block in Samba with a population of about 6000. The villagers had to walk on foot several kilometres to reach Gowal village if the camp was closed during wee hours or in case of any security situation.
The villagers were all praise for the current Government for fulfilling their long pending demand.
While inaugurating the road, Minister said the department has set on a journey to bridge the gaps by constructing roads and bridges under MGNREGA which will not only serve the purpose of employment generation but will also create useful assets for the rural population.
The Minister urged the people to act as eyes and ears of the Government by keeping watch on the works taken up by the Government. He said corruption can be checked if people become part of decision making by participating in Gram Sabhas and keep a close watch on the development projects.
Abdul Haq said he has asked his officers to interact with people and take their demands into consideration before making any developmental plan.
Earlier, Minister inaugurated a Panchayat Ghar at Dagore constructed under convergence at the cost of Rs 30 lakh and a Common Facility Centre at Sanoora which was also constructed under convergence with MGNREGA and 13th FC at the cost of Rs 21.75 lakh.
Minister was accompanied by MoS, Rural Development Sunil Sharma, MLA Samba Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, MLA Hiranagar Nagar Kuldeep Raj besides other officials of the district.
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