Setting the tone and tenor of Government’s relentless pursuit towards ensuring extensive development across J&K, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today while reviewing the developmental scenario in Baramulla District, approved 21 crore funding under JKIDFC for completing Jetty Bridge awaiting completion for 22 Years and directed for completion of the project within 2 years.
While interacting with scores of deputations at the District Headquarters, the Lt Governor took immediate cognizance of the demands related to various works of immediate public utility and announced Rs 50 lakhs as first installment of Untied Grant to all Deputy Commissioners across J&K for taking up the same on priority and to accentuate the overall developmental ecosystem in the UT.
The Lt Governor during the visit took a comprehensive assessment of the development scenario and other important local issues. He was accompanied by Sh. Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to the Lt Governor; Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Sh. Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Sh. Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department; Sh. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department and Agriculture/Horticulture, & Cooperatives Department; Sh. Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Sh. Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. G.N. Itoo; Sh. Abdul Qayoom, SSP Baramulla; Chief Engineers; HoDs and other senior officers.
At the outset, the Lt Governor inspected Government Medical College Baramulla and took the first hand appraisal of the pace of the construction work. He was informed that the College is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 139 crore and shall be completed by July 2021. He directed the concerned agencies to expedite the pace of work so that it is completed within the stipulated time frame.
The Lt Governor also visited Dak Bungalow where he distributed Special Aids and Appliances among 10 children with special needs under Samagra Shiksha. He evinced keen interest about the well-being of these children and directed the officers to provide the best possible facilities to them.
During the Development Review meeting, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. G.N. Itoo gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation of the various ongoing developmental works being executed by different departments in the district. He also informed the Lt Governor about the achievements that have been recorded in different sectors.
On achievements made under PMGSY, he informed the chair that all the unconnected habitations in Baramulla will be covered under PMGSY by March, 2021.
During the review, the Lt Governor directed the officers to formulate District Capex Plans after a holistic assessment of the developmental needs of the District so that the allocation is utilized in the most efficient way thereby addressing the needs of the common people. He also called for utilizing the CSR allocation by NHPC in the most effective manner.
Taking serious note of the inadvertent delays in the issuance of Domicile Certificates, the Lt Governor directed the officers to ensure seamless issuance of Domicile Certificates for PRC holders without requiring additional documents and simplifying the issuance process for people applying under other categories.
The Lt Governor directed the officers to lay special focus on improving the prompt service delivery mechanism for timely disposal of public grievances. Every possibility should be explored in meeting the developmental expectations of the people adding that a common man should not suffer for getting even simpler services and developmental needs, he remarked.
He further directed for 100% saturation and coverage of all Centrally Sponsored and Social Security Schemes so that the larger population can avail of the maximum benefits out of these schemes and programmes. He also directed to ensure that 100 % payment with Aadhaar linkage is done to benefit the beneficiaries under Social Security Schemes.
Specific directions were given by the Lt Governor to the concerned officers for tapping the full potential of all the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Government of India in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal& Sheep Husbandry and other allied sectors so that the benefits percolate to maximum population in the region.
He exhorted upon the officers to take all necessary measures to streamline the developmental process and remove bottlenecks, if any, to ensure that the execution of any project does not remain delayed unnecessarily.
The Lieutenant Governor also e-inaugurated and laid e-foundation stones of several developmental projects which include- foundation of Academic Block at GDC Pattan, Commissioning of 1×6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Achabal Rafiabad, Inauguration of 1×20 M Span Steel Girder Bridge over Nallah Ningli at Bangdara, Inauguration of 1x20M span steel Grider bridge over Ningli Nallah at Chan Mohalla, Inauguration of road from Khaitangan to Takiya Wagoors, Inauguration of Hatchipora-Chatoosa Road, inclusion of 500 eligible families in AAY category and inclusion of 691 eligible persons in several pension schemes.
In continuation of his public outreach programme, the Lt Governor met 18 delegations at Baramulla and Chahal Boniyar, who appraised him about their issues and demands of vital public significance. The deputations included- BDC Chairpersons, MC Presidents, Sarpanches & Panches; Political leaders; Student Organization; Youth Forum, Pattan; deputation of Migrant Employees/ Veerwan Colony; Sports Development Forum; Transporters; District Gurudawara Prabhandak Committee; JK Hoteliers Association Gulmarg; Coordination Committee Sopore; Traders Federation Baramulla; Fruit Growers Association Sopore/ Baramulla; Working Journalists of Baramulla; Civil Society – Baramulla, Kandi, Kreeri, Wagoora and deputation from Singhpora.
Various Political Leaders including Mir Mushtaq, Javid Hassan Beigh, Shoaib Mir, and a host of political activists from the District also interacted with the Lt Governor and apprised him of their concerning issues.
The members of the deputations projected various demands pertaining to the empowerment of PRIs, proper security and accommodation of PRI representatives, augmentation of healthcare infrastructure, waiving off KCC loans, augmentation of irrigation and drinking water facilities, strengthening road connectivity, establishment of proper dumping sites at Baramulla and Sopore, special economic package for various stakeholders viz traders, transporters, farmers etc who suffered badly due to present circumstances, completion of 4-lanning from Narbal-Baramulla stretch of NH44, construction of additional bunkers in border areas for safeguarding lives during cross LoC shelling, beautification of Jhelum embankment and other demands of vital public importance.
The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to each deputation and assured that all the genuine issues and demands put forth by them would be looked into meticulously for their early redressal. He reiterated that the administration has mobilized all the available resources to complete all the undertaken projects within the specific timelines. He termed peoples’ feedback as a vital component of people-centric governance.
The Lt Governor underscored that the UT Government is making earnest efforts to ensure that all the basic amenities reach to each and every individual on the ground. Besides, redressal of grievances of the common man – the last man standing in the queue is the topmost priority of the Government.
While interacting with the elected members of PRIs and Urban Local Bodies, the Lt Governor observed that the Government is making committed efforts to strengthen the grassroots democracy through active participation of all stakeholders in accelerating the development process. He also assured that in formulating the upcoming District Planning and Development Boards, the involvement of the elected representatives will be ensured so that they can play a vital role in overall planning and development process across the UT.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment for effectively implementing the 73rd and 74th Amendments for empowering PRIs and ULBs, the Lt Governor observed that the pending provisions under these Constitutional Amendments will be implemented to further strengthen and empower the democratic set up at the grass-root level.
Later, the Lt Governor paid a visit to the frontier area of Boniyar, Baramulla where he laid the foundation stone for the establishment of Government Degree College, costing Rs 13.92 crore. The establishment of the college was the long pending demand of the people of the area and the College shall be completed within a period of 15 months.
The Lt Governor termed it as an important milestone in meeting the educational needs of the people, especially those living in remote and frontier areas. He said that imparting qualitative education is the topmost priority of the present dispensation adding that without qualitative education, the mission of development cannot be achieved.
Terming peace imperative for development, the Lt Governor sought active participation of people in maintaining peace and stability and said that various efforts are being made to meet the developmental aspirations of the people.
The Lt Governor also urged the public representatives and people at large to adhere to the SOP’s and guidelines issued by the Government from time to time to play their active role in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the UT and it is our collective will and responsibility that would help us to defeat this pandemic.