Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Sept 16: Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and Planning Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today said Government was keen to equip the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with required infrastructure to make them functional to their optimum level.
Dr Manohar Lal Sharma was addressing a gathering after laying foundation stone of Panchayat Ghars in Kishanpur & Kandharno in tehsil Billawar of Kathua district.
The two Panchayat Ghar Buildings will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh by the Rural Development Department.
District Panchayat Officer Kathua, BDO Billawar, Tehsildar Billawar, DFO Billawar, BMO Billawar, Dy CEO Billawar, other District and Tehsil Level Officers were present on the occasion.
Dr Sharma exhorted upon the Sarpanchs and field functionaries of Rural Development Department to work with zeal and coordination to achieve desired development. He also impressed upon them to ensure the quality of construction work and time bound completion of the Panchayat Ghars.
The Minster also gave patient hearing to the problems and demands of the people in public meetings convened at Kishanpur and Kandharno Panchayats.
At Kishanpur, the representatives of Lodnu, Kishanpur, Katli, Koti, Baggan, Madara, Maduen demanded better provision for drinking water, dispensary, street lights, bridge for Marhoon, up-gradation of middle school Kishanpur, funds for the sub centre for Maduein and Katli and early completion of Dugwell.
Dr Sharma while responding to the demands of the people assured redressal in time frame manner. He passed on the spot directions to the XEn PWD to complete the road repair work within 3 days. He directed XEn, PHE to complete the water supply scheme at the earliest. Dr Sharma also directed E.O of Billawar Municipality to complete the culvert work at Thagru and lay crates in Maduein road, to complete the cross draining work on Kishanpur- Bantarda road and arrange 10 poles for the area.
The Minister announced Rs 3 lakh for development works in Kishanpur Panchayat.
Similar meeting was held at Kandharnoo where Dr Manohar Lal Sharma interacted with people and listened to their grievances.
The problems highlighted were mainly related to road connectivity for Kandharno Panchayat, drinking water scarcity, tractor road from Main Road- SC Mohalla, sericulture shed, electric poles and arts stream lecturer in Government Higher Secondary School Nagrota.
Dr Sharma, while responding to the problems projected by the locals assured that all the demands will be addressed on priority basis.