Mendhar, Oct 29: “We have a collective responsibility towards the welfare and development of the people. All stakeholders have to work towards achieving this goal while involving the community at the local level,” Minister for Jal Shakti, Tribal Affairs, Forests, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmad Rana, said on Tuesday.
Chairing a meeting with the district administration of Poonch during his extensive visit to the region, the minister impressed upon the officers the need to maintain the highest level of transparency and accountability in the implementation of development schemes. He emphasised the significance of continuous monitoring of development projects to ensure timely completion while maintaining all quality parameters in the execution of these works.
The minister instructed the officials to work diligently and ensure the timely completion of various vital projects, such as the Exchange Mohr to Mohalla Bakerwalan and Soyian Katha to Zinda Peer roads, as well as 100-bedded Girls Hostels at Balakote and Mendhar.
Javed Rana asked the PDD officials to complete smart metering at the earliest and announced the creation of a mechanical wing in the district. He also emphasized the importance of implementing the Forest Rights Act in letter and spirit, in addition to disposing of land claims swiftly.
He said the Omar-led government believes in establishing transparent and accountable governance for the people and ensuring equitable development of all regions of the UT. “Collaborative efforts are required at all levels to move ahead in achieving the set goals,” he asserted while highlighting the crucial role of the DDC in interdepartmental coordination and convergence at the district level to accomplish the timely execution of developmental projects.
Meanwhile, the minister inaugurated a Girls Hostel at Government Degree College, Mendhar, established under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, which aims at providing strategic funding to eligible Higher Educational Institutions. The hostel has been completed at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore.
On the occasion, District Development Commissioner Vikas Kundal presented the department-wise status of ongoing works in the district in a presentation, highlighting achievements under various sectors.
