Work as team, strive to maximize public services reach: CS to officers

Samba, Sep 16: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Friday visited Samba district and took a comprehensive review of developmental scenario of the district in meeting held at Conference hall of DC office Complex here.
During the meeting, Dr. Mehta held a detailed review on the progress of ongoing development works across the district including Central Sponsored Schemes and other development projects.
While reviewing the MGNREGA sector of the district, Chief Secretary called upon the officers to intensify the pace of ongoing construction works and ensure the quality of work is maintained while executing these projects. He stressed upon the officers to saturate the works within the time frames for minimizing the liability.
Chief Secretary, while reviewing other schemes, asked the officers to understand the contours of these schemes for proper and effective implementation of these schemes om ground. “There should be no mismatch between governed and governing”, Dr. Mehta said.
With regard to Amrit Sarovar Mission, the Chief Secretary appreciated that 75 Ponds restoration work has been completed before deadline in district samba.
While reviewing the power sector, Chief Secretary directed the officers of Power development department to reduce A&T losses and ensure the response time towards power breakdowns is minimal.
Highlighting the need for regular review of developmental works , Dr. Mehta asked the Divisional Commissioner to convene regular monthly review meetings for regular performance appraisal of all the development works and welfare schemes going on in the district. He directed the officers to devise activity charts stating the date of commencement, duration and anticipated completion time so as to make the system more transparent and accountable.
Regarding the appraisal of the performance in different sectors, the Chief Secretary directed all departments to adopt a public friendly approach in work culture. He also pressed for ensuring digital penetration across all the departments in the district. Emphasizing on the need of Digital Literacy, the Chief Secretary called for devising out a mechanism to acquaint children with financial literacy besides ensuring generation of Aadhaar cards and opening of bank accounts for each student.
To promote tourism activities in the district, Dr. Mehta directed the tourism department to identify five locations alongwith a detailed tourism cum cultural action plan so that a vivid aspect of district samba can be showcased on tourism map of J&K.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary also remarked that the performance of every officer and official is being monitored through a number of digital interventions initiated by the government to bring behavioural change among them towards public service delivery. He maintained that Public should be first priority of the public servant while discharging his duties.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Samba, Anuradha Gupta gave a detailed account of the district development profile through a presentation giving out details on Physical and Financial achievements of the district under District Capex 2022-23 as well as progress achieved under MGNREGA, PMAY-G, Amrit Sarovar, SBM-II, SAGY, NABARD, PMGSY and others.
After the meeting, the Chief Secretary also met a delegation of PRI representatives led by DDC Chairperson, Keshav Dutt Sharma and comprised Vice Chairman DDC, Balwan Singh, DDC members and other PRI representatives.
During the interaction, Dr. Mehta laid emphasis on Jan Bhagidari scheme among the PRI members and called upon them to create maximum awareness among locals on Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Swach Gaon, SBM Phase II and other awareness schemes.
The Chief Secretary also highlighted that J&K government is invariably working towards 24*7 Power and water supply besides providing other public services.
Dr. Mehta also interacted with members of Youth Clubs and encouraged them to avail benefits of Government sponsored schemes in skill development and self employment like Mission Youth among others.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Director Tourism, Director CADP, MD JKPCC, MD Agro, Director Social Welfare, Director Geology & Mining, Director Handicrafts & Handloom, ADDC Samba, ADC Samba, SSP Samba, Divisional and District Heads of Various departments were also present in the meeting.
Later, the Chief Secretary visited AIIMS Vijaypur and took a detailed overview of the pace of development works. He asked the officers to start OPD from next month in the AYUSH Block of this premier institution and exhorted upon them to complete this prestigious within the given time frame.
During the visit to AIIMS Vijaypur, Dr. Mehta also carried out plantation drive in the premises of the institute and emphasized upon the management to maintain the ecological balance of the area by reducing net carbon reduce and promoting water recycling.