Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 5: District Development Board (DDB) Kathua which met here today under the chairmanship of Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary approved Rs.164.58 crore district annual plan for the year 2018-19.
Vice Chairman OBC Welfare Board Rashpaul Verma, MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj, MLA Bani Jeevan Lal, District Development Commissioner Rohit Khajuria, SSP Shridhar Patil besides heads of various departments were present at the meeting.
At the outset the Minister took comprehensive review of the achievements registered under last year district plan.
He directed the administration to ensure judicious utilization of funds earmarked for different schemes. “All the departments should work in close coordination and synergy so that the bottlenecks, if any, can be removed and the schemes are implemented within the shortest possible time”, the Minister said.
The Chairman directed the PHE and PDD to work out a proper mechanism for ensuring adequate supply of drinking water across the length and breadth of the district. He also asked the twin departments to take measures to resolve the issue of low voltage at the PHE installations for smooth supply of water.
He also exhorted upon the officers to consult the concerned MLAs while planning the development projects/ schemes of their respective departments. He asked the departments to select the land for development project free from any encumbrance. He further urged for taking along all the stakeholders to make Kathua ODF before the set deadline.
Sham Choudhary also stressed on creating adequate sports infrastructure at every educational institution to enable the students to excel in games which is imperative for their overall personality development and promote positive energy in them.
He stressed on the improvement of PHE and Irrigation facilities in the Kathua district, particularly in Kandi, hilly and water stressed areas.
He directed concerned engineers to conceive WSS and irrigation projects in the district in consultation with public and their representatives. He further directed the officers to fix targets as per the proposed outlay in the Annual Plan to achieve the targets in full, adding that area specific planning and implementation of schemes is vital for development.
Earlier, the legislators highlighted various issues for achieving comprehensive development and beautification of Kathua district.
Legislator Bani, Jeevan Lal flagged the issue of expediting the up grading of power infrastructure in the remote areas of his constituency and making available buffer stock of transformers for immediate repair/replacement of worn out transformers.
He further sought the revision of carriage rates for PDS foodgrains, opening of more fair price shops, issuance of new ration cards and clearance of left out widows/old age/ handicap pension cases, construction of additional class rooms in the schools, sanction of PHCs in uncovered areas, construction of foot bridges, adequate doctors and teachers in hospitals and schools, clearance of MGNREGA liability, holding of PMAY and awareness camps for promoting central and state sponsored welfare schemes in far off places.
Legislator Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj called for engaging NGOs for the construction of IHHLs for poor and also emphasized on accommodating the left out beneficiaries. He further called for construction of mini secretariat complex and 100 bedded hospital at Hiranagar , installation of hand pumps, provision for stand by PHE machinery, completion of pending water supply schemes, construction of new receiving stations promotion of border tourism besides proper sewerage and sanitation in Hiranagar town.
Vice Chairman OBC Welfare Board, Rashpaul Verma urged for the construction of OBC hostel in the district. PHE pipes for un-covered areas, transformer for agriculture purpose, up-gradation and construction of boundary wall of schools nearing border.
The Chairman assured that issues raised by the local representatives will be addressed on priority.
Earlier, the DDC gave a detailed resume of the achievements under last year plan through a power point presentation.
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