To implement state governments’ decision of holding quarterly review meetings of District Development Boards, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary chaired a DDB review meeting to assess sector wise physical and financial progress at Kathua today. He also reviewed the progress of implementation of previous board decisions.Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Ch. Lal Singh, Vice Chairman OBC Board Rachhpal Verma, Vice Chairman SC Board Bhushan Dogra, MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia, MLA Bani Jeevan Lal, MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Kumar and District Development Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar were also present in the meeting.The District Development Commissioner briefed the meeting about the physical and financial progress achieved under different schemes in the district. He also presented sector-wise physical and financial progress under PHE, PDD, PWD, PMGSY, Education and Health besides schemes/programmes under MGNREGA, PMAY, Health, Education, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries sectors were also discussed in detail.
Sham Lal Choudhary who is also the Chairman of the Board called for early completion of projects where funds have been sanctioned. He stressed upon the executing agencies to prioritize works of different departments already approved under CAPEX budget adding that the respective MLAs should be taken on board while taking up new works in their constituencies and give due consideration to their priorities. The pending projects shall be taken up on priority so that the benefit of respective schemes shall reach to the beneficiaries at the earliest, he added.Taking view of projected demand of drinking water supply in Kandi and far off areas of the district, the Minister informed that 17 water supply schemes will completed by ending December 2016 under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). He also disclosed that 10 more pumps will be sanctioned for catering drinking water needs of remote habitations. For taking up the repair work of defunct water pumps in the district Rs 5 lakh has also been allocated, he said.The Minister impressed upon PHE, PDD and PWD departments to make constituency wise comprehensive plan to meet the developmental needs so that benefits of the scheme reach the ultimate beneficiaries.
Addressing the meeting, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Ch. Lal Singh impressed upon the officers to work with missionary zeal to achieve the motive of transparent and accountable governance. He called for early execution of approved projects in time bound manner.MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia highlighted the issues including parking locations in the town, shifting of DC office building, ISBT, Amusement Park, Toll Plaza Nagri, SDH Nagri and augmentation of existing PDD workshop at Kathua MLA Bani Jeevan lal apprised the meeting about pending works in his constituency including MGREGA liabilities, improvement of park, water supply schemes for Ghuttu, Sarthal, Reha Salal, Batoli and Dhaggar and others.MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Kumar also projected issues including augmentation of receiving stations of PDD, Funds for borewell and provision for veterinary hospital in Hiranagar sub division.Responding to the issues raised by legislators, the Minister assured them for their early redressal in time bound manner.Among others, HODs of various departments and concerned senior officers were present in the meeting.