DDB approves Rs 101 cr annual plan for Ganderbal

Resolution passed for bringing services at doorstep

GANDERBAL, MAY 15: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today, directed officials to strictly implement new mode of Governance in Ganderbal that would make it mandatory for officials to deliver Government services to the people at the doorsteps.

The Minister said this while chairing the Ganderbal District Development Board Meeting. The meeting was attended by MLA Kangan Mian Altaf Ahmad, MLA Sonawari Mohammad Akbar Lone, MLA Ganderbal Ishfaq Jabbar, MLC Yasir Reshi, Chief Engineer R&B, I&FC, PDD, PMGSY, Director Tourism, Education and officials representing all the vital departments.

The board unanimously approved the Capex budget of Rs 101.16 crore for the district for the year 2017-18. While speaking at the meeting the Minister said that Ganderbal has a huge potential to become a model of innovative and efficient mode of governance. To implement the initiative, the board passed a resolution wherein the district officials were directed to take government services to the doorstep of people. “A person should have to visit Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar office just once for applying for a service like Permanent  Residence Certificate and then the concerned officials should ensure that the certificate is delivered to applicants house within a week’s time,” said Akhtar. “Officials should wait for Public Services Guarantee Act. Ganderbal is a small district with ample employees so make such kind of governance a success.”

The Minister said that once successful the model will transform the fortunes of Ganderbal within a year and it will become example for other districts to follow. He also directed all extension officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Labour and other department to organize camps in the villages so that people come to know about all the schemes meant for their benefit. He said that knowledge is power and Informed People are key to success of government services. He also directed the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) to display board complete with availability of stock complete with their rate and scale at all the ration depots. The same shall be updated every 15 days. Similar directive was given to Social Welfare and other departments too to ensure openness and transparency.

The Minister said that road widening of vital stretch from Nagbal to Beehama has been approved under CRF and the acquisition work will start within this month. He said that this will greatly reduce traffic congestion in the district. The meeting also approved the construction of Bus Yard on fast track basis and the same will be made functional by 31st August. It will be complete with kiosks and other passenger facilities. The meeting was informed that Central University has been allotted the vacant structures  of Physical Training college adjacent to Ganderbal Degree College and the Post Graduate classes of the University will start at the place within next few weeks.

Terming Ganderbal as jewel in the state, the Minister said that the district has a huge scope for development of tourism. The Minister directed the Director Tourism to prepare a comprehensive plan for development of waterfront and adjacent areas of Sindh River, which will be a boon for tourists and locals alike. The Director Tourism informed the meeting that the meadows of Lal Marg and Mohandmarg are being developed for tourism. A museum is also to be established in Las area that will showcase area’s rich historical legacy.  

Regarding construction of Engineering College at Safapora, it was revealed that the class work will start from the current year. Giving thrust on development of sports infrastructure, the board decided that Madr-e-Meharban stadium will be handed over to Sports Council and number of playfields will be developed in various areas. A major indoor stadium is also proposed to be taken for construction in this year. 

The members urged the board to ensure that local youth is given preference in the construction of Z-Morh tunnel and the proposed Zojila tunnel. The Minister said that the issue has been already taken up with concerned authorities and aim of the government is to ensure capacity building of youth at various levels with the help of such projects. The Minister also directed the officials to start the work on proposed ITI at Yangoora and at the same time work on the formalities of land transfer by revenue department.

Stressing on the need to develop agriculture and horticulture sector in the district, the Minister directed the officials to prepare a plan for turning 4000 kanals of orchards at Potormulla into a High Density Fruit plantation model. He said that every kanal of land will thus provide Rs lakh rupees of net profit within three years. He also directed the officials to ensure availability of hybrid and high yield seeds at the villages.

The Board also approved convergence of schemes for desalting of irrigation canals, start of SRTC yard at vacant land near Tawheedabad Chowk, establishing of water pump sets at water logging places, removal of encroachments at Manigam-Lar road, widening of Lal Saheb bridge, rationalization of health staff scattered across various hospitals for making optimum use. The Minister also directed for initiating inquiry into cost escalation of buildings constructed by Housing Board and inability of concerned department to undertake de-silting.