Kathua, Dec 7: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and multiple other key departments, Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to enhancing the ease of living for all citizens, irrespective of their faith, caste or region. He assured the public that their concerns were being addressed through direct interventions and focused public hearings.
Dr Singh said this during a public durbar at village Parole in the Barnoti block of Kathua district today. During the event, he inaugurated several important road projects aimed at improving local infrastructure.
This marked Dr Singh’s second public durbar in Kathua district in just a fortnight and his fourth such event in the region over the past few months. A large number of local residents from Parole and surrounding areas attended the durbar, bringing their issues directly to the Union Minister and seeking resolutions on the spot.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra said these public durbars at the block and panchayat levels were designed to bridge any gaps in governance and ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots level. He described the public durbar as a “one-stop platform” where locals could raise their grievances and receive prompt solutions with the intervention of the Union Minister himself.
This year, Dr Singh has held multiple such durbars across districts, including Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda, connecting with people and working towards resolving their issues.
During today’s event, he inaugurated several crucial road projects aimed at enhancing connectivity in rural areas of Kathua district. Notably, he inaugurated the L034-Block Boundary Kathua to Boura road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a long-pending demand of the local population.
The Union MoS inaugurated two other important roads: L021 to Champal road (11.83 km) with an investment of Rs 403.45 lakh, which will benefit around 901 people; and L021 Dhar to Korkhana road (2.5 km) with a sanctioned cost of Rs 171.24 lakh, benefiting 432 people. These road projects are expected to significantly improve local connectivity, enhancing travel for residents and facilitating easier access to essential services.
Dr Jitendra reiterated that the government is committed to improving connectivity in rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, especially Kathua district. He informed the gathering that several other road projects in the district, nearing completion, will be inaugurated soon. These projects are expected to further enhance infrastructure and ease of travel for residents.
Dr Singh informed the public that the next recruitment for the Indian Army would take place in March, providing more opportunities for local youth.
