Chief Secretary, Mr B B Vyas today visited Kishtwar to take stock of the progress of developmental works on the ground.The Chief Secretary personally visited the sites of various developmental projects in the district including District Hospital Kishtwar, Naigadh water supply scheme, Government Polytechnic College, Govt Degree College hostel, Indoor Stadium coming up at Girls Higher Secondary School and the satellite campus of Jammu University.During his visit to the proposed airstrip at Kishtwar, the Chief Secretary while taking note of the bottlenecks hampering the project, took up the matter, on the spot, with the concerned army officers seeking their cooperation in getting the issues resolved at the earliest so that the much-needed airstrip could be made operational. He said the Government is keen to make the airstrip functional at the earliest for the convenience of the people as also to increase the tourist footfall in the area.After extensively visiting various project sites in the district, the Chief Secretary chaired an officers meeting at the Mini Secretariat Kishtwar to seek details of physical and financial progress on the ongoing development works in the district. He also sought information about the bottlenecks, if any, hampering the development works so that the same could be taken up at the appropriate levels for early resolution.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Mandeep Bhandari, District Development Commissioner Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana and other senior officers of the civil and police administration were present at the meeting.The Chief Secretary took detailed review of the works being executed in health, education, R&B, PHE, I&FC & FCS&CA sector.The meeting held threadbare deliberations on the difficulties impeding the smooth execution of projects including land compensation and other technical issues.Expressing concern over the sluggish pace of fund utilization, the Chief Secretary asked the officers to access the resources available for developmental works and make optimum and judicious use of the same to build requisite public infrastructure in the area.Hailing the officers for trying to give their best amid challenging situations, the Chief Secretary asked them to work in close coordination with their colleagues at various levels in the administration to address the bottlenecks hampering the smooth and timely execution of the development works. He said there should be regular follow-up and monitoring of the projects to meet the timelines set for their completion.The Chief Secretary also called for keeping a close watch on the quality of development works. He said senior officers should regularly conduct inspection and take samples and get these tested to maintain the quality of works.
Taking note of the issues raised by the DC Kishtwar at the meeting, the Chief Secretary asked FCS&CA Department to distribute the ration cards in the area by 5 January 2018. He asked District Statistical Officer to conduct evaluation of all the ICDS centres in the district within 15 days.Regarding relief for Suknai fire victims, the Chief Secretary said the funds will be provided from the Chief Minister’s relief fund for construction of IAY houses for the victims.