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.