Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: Exhorting the need of strictly adhering to the timeline for project completion and optimal utilization of funds, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today called upon the concerned departments to gear up their men and machinery to work on mission mode.
Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the District Development Board meeting of district Jammu held here today.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary, Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi, Vice Chairman State Advisory Board For Development of Kisans, Daljit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman OBC Welfare Board Rashpaul Verma, Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of Schedule Castes Bushan Lal Dogra, Member of Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas, Legislators, Sat Sharma, Davinder Singh Rana, Kamal Arora, Ramesh Arora, Rajesh Gupta, Rajeev Sharma, Gagan Bhagat, Sukhnandan Choudhary, Krishan Lal, Charanjeet Singh Khalsa, Vikram Randhawa, G. L Raina, Divisional Commissioner Jammu M.K Bhandari, IG S.D Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Director Urban Local Bodies Sushma Chouhan, Commissioner JMC Ramesh Kumar, Director Rural Development R. K Bhat, Chief Engineers from PDD, PHE, PWD besides senior functionaries from district administration and other departments were present in the meeting.
District Development Commissioner, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan gave a detailed review of the physical and financial achievements of the district and it was given out that about 88.40 percent expenditure has been incurred so far.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure that projects are completed in the stipulated time frame to avoid cost escalation. He asked the concerned officers to conduct regular field visits and ensure proper monitoring to adhere to quality parameters. He directed to expedite works on Jammu-Akhnoor road widening which would go a long way in checking traffic congestions.
He stressed on maintaining transparency and efficiency in working of the departments to achieve tangible results on ground so that benefits of developmental works reach the grassroot level.
Maintaining that tourism potential of the region needs to be optimally tapped to give a fillip to the sector, Dr Singh said that the heritage destinations in the area need to be protected and promoted.
He also stressed on giving due publicity to the Border Tourism circuit at Suchetgarh, R.S Pura which can be a major attraction in Jammu. Dr Singh also asked for better upkeep and developing new parks for providing better recreational facilities.
Emphasizing that the State has rich treasure of heritage which needs to be preserved in a scientific way, DyCM said that it is Government’s endeavor to preserve this rich culture and heritage to attract visitors from different parts of the globe. He also asked the concerned authorities to preserve heritage sites at Bikram Chowk, Jammu and Old Railway Station, RS Pura.
Responding to the issues raised by the concerned legislators, Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned agencies to ensure completion of ongoing works of sewerage projects by March 31, 2018. He also directed to achieve set targets under Housing for All Scheme while Social Welfare Department was asked to ensure that the welfare schemes are implemented in letter and spirit and benefits reach the beneficiaries in a hassle free manner.
Dr. Singh while stressing on improving medicare facilities in the peripheral health institutes asked the concerned agencies to complete the works on Sub-District Hospital Akhnoor. He also issued directions to enhance facilities of critical ambulances in order to improve facilities for the patients.
Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to develop public utilities and passenger shed at Satwari for convenience of the people.
The legislators and other representatives demanded regular de-silting of canals, up-gradation, widening and macadamization of roads in their respective areas besides improvement in basic amenities including construction of drains and bridges. They also raised issues pertaining to up-gradation of schools, rationalization of teachers, doctors and paramedical staff in rural areas.
Deputy Chief Minister said that Coalition Government has been formed to serve the people of the State. He said that the initiatives taken by present dispensation would transform the development scenario of the State. He said present Government’s policy is focused on uniform development of all areas without any political bias.
Expressing dismay over absence of some of the HoDs in the board meeting, Deputy Chief Minister called upon the officers to explain their position and said that such dereliction of duty will be dealt sternly.
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