Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today visited far-flung border areas and took stock of the problems being faced by the people. During the whirlwind tour of various villages of Khour constituency alongside the LoC and International Border, he addressed series of public meetings at Garar, Gigrial, Darh Khour and Chaprial.
While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister said development of rural and far- flung areas of the state is top most priority of the Government and work on the roadmap to develop these areas on most modern line is apace. He said exemplary development initiatives have been taken by the present dispensation in order to equip these areas with all required infrastructure.
“Coalition Government with active support from the Central Government has launched mega infrastructure projects in the state and completion of these prestigious projects would effectively address development aspirations of the people of the state,” he added.
At the public meetings, the people of the area presented their demands which include, rent compensation of land acquired by the army, crop compensation, de-mining of land, better facilitation for crop cultivation by Army for land both across and along the LoC and IB, up gradation of Jhakara to Garar colony road, need for improved power infrastructure, augmentation of potable water resources and better road connectivity.
While responding to the demands, Mr. Tara Chand directed the Divisional Commissioner to formulate a committee in order to take the matters concerning the Army and the people on priority and in a time bound and effective manner, adding that the demands need to be projected at the right quarters so as to mitigate the same and give the agriculturist a sigh of relief.
He said the Government is alive to the problems of the people living in border areas and purpose of such visits is to bring the administration to the door step of people, so as to address the grievances of the people in more effective and efficient manner.
Calling upon people for judicious utilization of water and power, Tara Chand said that the Government is exploring all possibilities to augment power and potable water resources but consumers must realize that better services can only be provided if better revenue is received. He directed the Power and PHE authorities to address the problems put forth by the public and ensure that people get regular potable water and electricity.
Laying stress on maintaining quality standards in works, Mr. Tara Chand emphasized on undertaking routine inspections to keep a check on pilferage and to ensure use of quality material in development works undertaken by the department, adding that durable infrastructure can only be created when proper standards are maintained in work execution.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pradeep Gupta, District Development Commissioner, Jammu Sanjeev Verma, DIG, Jammu Mr. J.P. Singh, Chief Engineer, PHE B.R. Dogra, Chief Engineer, PWD(R&B) Tehsin Mustafa, Defense authorities and other senior officers and engineers of different departments accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the tour.
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