Kathua, Oct 01: Apni Party District President Kandi and Incharge Bani Lohai Malhar Constituency, Yasar Choudhary has expressed serious concern over the delayed development in Bani subdivision where a bridge has been awaiting construction work for the last five years.
In a statement issued here, Yasar said the foundation stone for the construction of a bridge was laid in Bani five years ago; however, its construction work is yet to be initiated.
“The bridge was required to connect a huge population in Bani, but the concerned authorities have ignored its construction for the last five years. It appears that the authorities and concerned officials tasked to construct the bridge do not fear any kind of accountability,” he said.
He said the elected government holds such officials and authorities accountable, but the democratic system has been missing in J&K for the last several years. He also raised the issue of a shortage of staff/doctors in hospitals/PHCs and schools having more students, and fewer staff/teachers than required in Bani which has led to the suffering of people.
In view of the suffering of the people, Choudhary appealed to the government to deploy the required number of field officers, staff and doctors in the educational institutions and hospitals so that the people do not suffer. He demanded basic amenities in Bani and road infrastructure while expressing surprise as to why the construction of the bridge had not been started yet.
During a week-long tour in Bani, Yasar said that he met people from different segments of society where the developmental works are in deplorable condition. “Field officer’s top-ranking posts in Bani-Lohaimalhar Constituency are vacant that includes BDO Duggan, BDO Dugain, BDO Lohai-Malhar, CDPO Bani, Naib Tehsildar concerned, etc. The shortage of field officers, doctors as well as staff members in different government departments in Bani and other areas has adversely affected the development,” he said.
The Apni Party leader criticised the administration for its “failure” on the developmental front and accused it of neglecting the genuine demands of the people in Kathua’s remote and peripheral areas.
“The Lohai Malhar-Katli road has been closed for the last three years, and its DPR is being changed instead of opening the road for the commuters to ensure proper road connectivity to the remote areas,” he said.
Choudhary also took up the issue of poor work by the Tourism Department to promote the tourism sites in Bani, Lohai Malhar and other areas. He demanded that the tourism sites must be explored for the promotion of tourism so that employment can be generated at the local level.
