People residing beyond fence project their
problems, demands
POONCH, MAY 09: To address the developmental issues of populace
residing near-LOC villages and those beyond the fence line,
the District Development Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today held a public
grievance redressal Camp at Mankote area of Mendhar Sub-Division.
Public in large number thronged the camp and
apprised the DDC about challenges they face in day to day life due to frequent
ceasefire violations. They sought basic
life supporting infrastructure vis a vis road connectivity, drinking water,
electricity and above all a safe place to keep their families and livestock at
the time of heavy shelling from across the LOC. The issue of shortage of
drinking water was raised by residents of various Panchayat Halqas including
Kasbalari, Salani, Mankote, sagra, etc. XEN PHE briefed the people about
schemes on the verge of commissioning and a plan for completion of rest of the
schemes.
They apprised the DDC that road to areas/villages
located across the fence and community/individual bunkers in these border
villages are imperative for safety of the local residents. Demand for
construction of road to Gani, Balnoi, Topa, Kasbalari, Sagara and other
villages was strongly projected.
They
also raised issues of inclusions of fence side families under BPL category,
provision of Receiving station, JK Bank Branch and repair of Ram Kund Temple to Mankote road.
The participants also demanded creation of tourism
infrastructure in the area, widening and blacktopping of BG -Mendhar road,
improved telecommunication services, upgradation of Mankote-Sagara, Balnoi and
Topa-Simkan Water Supply
Schemes besides provision of Water Tanker services in water stressed areas,
building of power infrastructure for uninterrupted power supply and play fields
in the area.
Officers of different departments, while responding
to the issues, apprised the public about the steps taken to address their
grievances and also shared further course of action in particular instances.
The DDC directed the district officers to remain in
contact with the people, pay regular visits and organize camps in all the
remote areas to resolve public issues and also disseminate awareness about
various government schemes designed for the welfare of general public.
Assuring the gathering of time bound redress of
issues raised in the camp, the DDC informed that construction work for Bunkers
for LoC pockets Tehsil Mankote shall be taken up very shortly.
Meanwhile, it was informed that the proposal for
1600 bunkers has been submitted to the central government. He also informed
that issue of widening and blacktopping of BG-Mendhar road has been taken up
with concerned agency GREF.
The DDC further informed that in view topographical
conditions small foot bridges shall be constructed over rivulets and Nallahs
for safe passage of school going children and play grounds in each panchayat of
the tehsil Mankote shall be taken up on priority.
He appreciated the cooperation extended by the
people of Mankote to the administration and asked the locals to participate
in developmental process by keeping eye on various developmental works going on
in their respective Panchayats and give feedback to the administration.
Senior officers from district administration
including ACD Mukhtar Ahmad, SDM Mendhar Tanvir Ahmad, executive engineers of
various engineering departments, District Panchayat Officer, district officers
of Animal & Sheep husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture and IWMP departments
and all sectoral officers were present in the camp.
