Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said that the Government committed to maintain transparency in development activities and provide services to the people in a time bound manner.“Our priority is to eradicate corruption in Developmental activities and provide accountable and transparent administration with a mechanism to fix responsibility in case of lapses in extending people services in a time-bound manner,” Zulfkar said while addressing a public grievances redressal camp at Reasi.Zulfkar said that provision for basic amenities to all, particularly those living in far flung and hilly areas, is the priority of the Government, adding that a massive development plan has been formulated to meet the aspirations of the people.On the occasion, locals put forth various demands such as up gradation of PHCs, placement of adequate staff in New hospital Building, opening of new ration depots, up-gradations of Gujjar hostels, opening of mobile schools for nomads, Degree college for Pouni, opening of new Higher secondary schools especially for girls etc.
Responding to the demands, Zulfkar said all the genuine problems will be resolved on priority, he also directed AD CAPD to open extension counters for ration distribution through internal arrangement at Jasserkote and Devigarh, so that inhabitants of these far-flung areas could get ration at their door steps.
Later, the Minister chaired a meeting of district officers to review the progress under District Plan and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the district.
MLA Reasi Ajay Nanda, MLA Gulabgarh Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, MLC Surinder Choudhary, MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Reasi-Sushma Chauhan, ,Joint Director Legal Metrology, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology Jammu, besides other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Zulfkar took a detailed review of performance of all the departments and asked the concerned officers to fix targets within the available resources for execution of developmental works.
Reviewing the physical and financial achievements during the previous year, the Minister was told that that of the 16 PMGSY projects 2 have been completed and work on remaining is in full swing, while one of the two PHE schemes has been completed. The Minister was further informed that construction of 5 high Schools and four middle school buildings is in process, while 50,000 free books were distributed among the students during the year.Under Health sector, the minister was informed that OPD block of District Hospital has become functional where as other works are in progress.
Under IAY, ACD Reasi apprised the minister that a total number of 980 IAY houses were approved in the district of which 514 were completed and remaining 466 shall be completed in the due course of time.
The Minister also took a detailed review of the stocks and supply position of ration including Atta, Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Kerosene Oil, LPG and petroleum products. He called upon Deputy Commissioner to provide village-wise list of beneficiaries under different categories as per 2011 census at the earliest.
Zulfkaralso took a detailed review of the works being carried in the district for the welfare of Tribal population.
The DC Reasi apprised that as per census 2011, 28% of the population of district is Gujjar & Bakkarwal and there literacy rate is 31.11%. She added that in the district 65 villages have been identified with more than 40% of ST Population. To provide education facilities , four higher secondary, 17 high schools, 83 Middle schools and 200 primary schools are functional in these villages .
The Minister asked the DC to ensure preparation of the plan for the welfare of the tribal population in such a way so that tangible assets can be created keeping area specificity in view. He stressed to chalk out plan to improve literacy among ST population and said that the government was abreast with the problems of Gujjar and Bakerwal community and is taking various measures to improve their economic condition, particularly those living in inaccessible areas, including nomads.