Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, May 20: Minister for Co-operatives, Chering Dorjay, who is also Chairman of District Development Board (DDB) Reasi, today approved Rs. 139.83 crore annual plan for the district.
This year’s plan envisages prioritization of blacktopping on several link and major roads, coverage of all un-electrified hamlets besides expansion of a sustainable and viable network of enhanced basic amenities to the people with emphasis to under-privileged areas.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said that the possibility for additional funds for strengthening the road network in the district, construction and blacktopping, would be explored. He called for need based and area specific development in every part of the district and stressed on timely and judicious utilization of funds.
He exhorted upon the officers to make sure that the decisions taken in the Board meetings are implemented in letter and spirit so that the objective of present dispensation of developing the State is realized.
The Chairman took a comprehensive review of implementation of last year’s district plan and was apprised that against an approved outlay of Rs 141.18 crore for the year 2015-16, Rs 77.26 crore were released and a total expenditure of Rs 75.32 crore was incurred hence recording 97.48 per cent expenditure.
Minister of State for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs ,CAPD, Tribal Affairs, Ajay Nanda, Vice-Chairman, J&K State Kissan Welfare Advisory Board, Daljeet Singh Chib, Vice Chairperson , J&K State Advisory Board for Welfare and development of Schedule Castes, Bhushan Lal Dogra, MLA Gool Arnas Ajaz Ahmed Khan, MLA Gulabgarh, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, MLCs Jugal Kishore & Sham Lal Bhagat, District Development Commissioner, Ravinder Kumar, heads of various departments and district officers were present in the meeting.
The Minister asked the district administration to ensure that an effective mechanism is evolved for proper execution and monitoring of all projects so that quality of works is maintained at all levels. He underscored the need for paying focused attention on improvement of road connectivity, drinking water, power supply, education and healthcare facilities equally across the district.
Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Nanda said that basic aim of the board meeting is to review the performance of last year’s achievements and prepare a road map for implementation of different schemes in the current year. He asked the concerned department to ensure speedy distribution of land compensation among the beneficiaries under PMGSY scheme.
Likewise, Members of Legislative Assembly, highlighted the demands and problems being faced by the people of their respective constituencies like electrification of uncovered areas within the district, construction of health centres and maternity hospitals besides improvement in several basic necessities.
MLA, Gool-Arnas, expressed concern over dilapidated condition of Gool-Budhal road and other roads connecting far flung areas, adding that connectivity is essential to establish access to basic public amenities for the people especially those residing in such remote pockets.
MLC, Jugal Kishore, raised the issue of shortage of staff in Katra Development Authority which badly hampers the main purpose of constituting these vital units. He stressed upon the need of conducting field visits and public grievances redressal camps in rural and far flung areas so that the basic issues of these unattended people are taken into consideration.