Jammu, Apr 17: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh Saturday called upon the public representatives to act as bridge between people and administration.
He was chairing District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting to review the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in District Doda, here at Convention Centre Jammu.
The meeting was attended by Chairman District Development Council Doda, Dhanantar Singh; Vice Chairperson DDC Doda, Sangeeta Rani; District Development Commissioner Doda, Vikas Sharma; Prashant Kumar Jha IRS; BDC Chairpersons, President Municipal Committee Bhaderwah among other elected PRIs, nominated members of DISHA, senior officers of District administration and members of urban local bodies.
District Development Commissioner, Vikas Sharma presented vital statistics about various centrally sponsored schemes and progress made there under. He informed that the district administration was committed to assist PRIs and ULBs for development of the district and for providing benefit of various centrally sponsored schemes.
The DDC informed the union Minister that increasing female literacy and filling up vacant posts in education sector need to be given special attention. He said that Government Medical College Doda is nearing completion and will be ready for admission of fresh batch of medical students by June this year.
Regarding Covid pandemic, the DDC informed that all the active cases are being routinely monitored by the Health Department and RTPCR testing was being done vigorously. Further, it was informed that a 100 bedded Covid Care Centre and another 40 bedded centre with the provision of ventilators was also available with the district administration. He also sought help from the public representatives in educating people about preventive measures against spread of Covid-19.
The DDC Chairman raised issue of shortage of ambulance and demanded more ambulances to meet the requirement. He also highlighted the issue of road accidents and demanded improvement in the condition of the roads by constructing crash barriers to save innocent lives.
The Union Minister took notice of the issue and also suggested for keeping close check on overloading to minimize the road mishaps.
Dr Jitendra Singh inquired about the status of works being carried under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and the Har Ghar Nal Se Jal programme, under Jal Jeevan Mission. He asked the public representatives to actively participate in implementation of these ambitious programmes for their effective implementation on the ground.
While discussing the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, Dr Jitendra Singh directed the district administration to make promotional videos involving beneficiaries of the scheme to motivate the people for registration. He appreciated the district administration for achieving 100 percent coverage under Kissan Credit Card scheme.
The administration was also directed to expedite works under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (G) to provide pucca houses to all eligible households by 2022.
Threadbare discussion was held on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
The DDC informed that Doda ranks 11th all over India in building roads under it. Dr Jitendra Singh, while appreciating the achievement, said Sarpanchs and Panchs have the responsibility of setting priority of works under the scheme. He also asked them to identify and cover the left out eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
Similarly, execution of MGNREGA works, expediting issuance of Domicile and other certificates were also discussed in the meeting.
Dr Jitendra Singh directed the NHIDCL to hire maximum number of locals for Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Khellani highway project. “The company should engage maximum number of workers, especially unskilled ones, from among the locals,” he maintained. A field visit for on the spot inspection of the project was also scheduled.
Other issues, including up-gradation of High School Marmat, shortage of staff in Revenue Department and completion of various Water supply schemes were also discussed at the meeting.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the meeting has been convened to find a common ground, wherein the administration and public representatives discuss the vital issues of public importance. “The different bodies need to supplement each others’ work and highlight the issues which need to be addressed on priority,” he said.
Dr Jitendra also said that the public representatives are more accountable towards the people due to the close contact between the two.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted that post 73rd and the 74th Amendment implementation in J&K, things are going to get more streamlined. He urged the public representatives to develop leadership qualities and work for the public welfare irrespective of their party affiliation.
The Union Minister directed the district administration to acknowledge every communication from the public representatives through an acknowledgment letter and conduct at least one meeting every month.
Speaking at the meeting, the DDC Chairman thanked the government for providing prestigious projects like GMC Doda, High Altitude Medicinal Plant, Chattergala Tunnel and the Chenani Nashri Tunnel. We need to put in lots of hard work to fulfill people’s expectations, especially in providing electricity and piped water to each household, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, President MC Bhaderwah, Shahid Mughal highlighted the need to develop eco tourism and winter sports in the region. He also demanded a 32 KV transmission line for Bhaderwah besides development of sports infrastructure.
Vice Chairperson DDC Doda, also spoke on the occasion and sought close cooperation of district administration for the public welfare.
