Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 17: Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today directed the officers to give special focus to the development of electric infrastructure and provide hassle free clearances in the industrial areas of the State so that the industry gets the requisite fillip which would in turn ensure that economy of the State gets a boost besides also creating job opportunities for the youth.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a review meeting of the Power Development Department (PDD).
Principal Secretary, PDD Sundeep Nayak, Development Commissioner Power Sheikh Gul Ayaz, Chief Engineer Shahnaz Goni, Bashir Khan and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Dr. Singh said that online mechanism should be put in place so that entrepreneurs desirous of setting industrial units do not face any inconvenience and get the necessary permissions through a single window system. He said this step would go a long way in ensuring that permission granted by the Power Department to the prospective industrialists is speeded up which would in turn give the requisite impetus to the industrial sector.
“There should be special focus on upgrading the electrical infrastructure in the industrial estates like Samba, Kathua, Lassipora and Bari Brahmana so that the industry gets the requisite boost”, Deputy Chief Minister maintained and asked for conducting the meetings of the designated Committee set up for providing necessary permissions to the industrialists on fortnightly basis.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the officers to speed up the pace of work on the advance meter reading testing lab being set up so that the power pilferage is checked. He also directed the officers to strengthen the grievance cell in EM&RE Divisions so that the grievances of the people are redressed and necessary feedback is also received about the implementation of the schemes and the services being provided to the people.
Referring to the issue of regularization of the Daily Rated Workers, the Deputy Chief Minister directed for taking the necessary steps in this regard.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today asked the concerned to undertake necessary measures for lifting the ban on Khair tree felling as the same has been relaxed by the Apex Court in a recent judgment.
Dr. Singh while taking up the issue with Chief Secretary asked him to take the necessary action so that the felling of the Khair trees is undertaken across the Jammu Division particularly in Kandi areas as the value of the wood has started to decay. He said that thousands of peasants and people living in the rural areas of the state are going to be badly affected if the felling of the trees is not done early.
The Deputy Chief Minister was informed that the matter has already been taken up with the Revenue Department and an early response is awaited from them.
Follow our WhatsApp channel