Minister for Rural Development Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq yesterday embarked on a three day tour to Chenab valley to review the functioning of various departments in the district.Minister is accompanied by the MLC Firdous Ahmad Tak and senior officials of Rural Development Department Kishtwar district. Minister travelled to Kishtwar district via Sinthan road and enroute inspected various ongoing works of the Rural Development Department.At Potato Farm, in Inderwal block, Minister interacted with the members of Gujjar community who migrate to the Potato Farm meadows during summers. The members apprised the Minister about their grievances and various other issues. The Minister gave patient hearing to the people and passed on spot directions for the redress of their grievances. He also instructed officers to construct washrooms and a specially designed all weather shelter shed at the spot as it happens to be the first stop after the Sinthan top and also attracts a lot of tourists during summers. On the demand of the public, the Minister also directed for construction of protection wall around the Eidgah at the meadow which according to locals suffers recurrent damages due to avalanches and floods.Earlier the Minister was warmly received by the people and the district officers of Kishtwar.
At Chatroo the Minister held a public meeting wherein a large number of people participated and apprised him about their grievances. They raised the issues regarding disparity in the issuance of ration cards, categorization of BPL and APL, issuance of job cards under MGNREGA and labour cards by the Labour department.Minister assured the public that the government will take every possible step to redress their grievances.While addressing the public, The Minister said government under the guidance of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is committed to deliver justice and provide good governance to the people at their doorstep. He said the purpose of his visit is to listen to the grievances of those people at their doorsteps who are unable to reach the corridors of power in Srinagar and Jammu.Abdul Haq said there is nobody’s monopoly in the functioning of the departments but are run according to the rule of law. He said no one has authority (even he himself) to allot work under MGNREGA. He said Gram Sabhas are the real houses of power where the people make decisions themselves for the development of their villages. He appealed people to be part of decision making by participating in Gram Sabhas.The Minister later conducted a surprise visit to BDO office Inderwal and Mughal Maidan and checked the attendance of the staff. The Minister directed suspension of a store keeper at Mughal Maidan for failing to produce stock register.He directed the ACD Kishtwar to transfer the officials who have completed their requisite term in different blocks including GRS and MIS operators. He also stressed on the officials to work with extra zeal and dedication to work for the betterment of the society.