Minister for Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq Monday made a surprise visit to district Ganderbal.During his visit, the Minister, inspected the Block Development Office, Ganderbal and checked attendance and functioning of the office. The Minister also interacted with the local public and inquired about their issues and gave on spot directions for their redressal.At Kujar Panchayat, the Minister directed for cancellation of an ongoing Gram Sabha meeting and asked the concerned officers to go for drum beating before the Gram Sabha so that every member of the village is aware about such a meeting. "Gram Sabha is part of participatory democracy and everyone in the village should be aware about planning and development there and be a part of decision making in their own village," he added.
The Minister, also directed to take action against the Program Officer and GR of the said Panchayat for conducting Gram Sabha meeting in a closed room.
Similarly, at Wailoo, the Minister cancelled another Gram Sabha, also being conducted in a closed room. The Minister again directed the concerned to hold the Gram Sabha in an open area after ensuring its proper publicity. Later, the Minister inspected various ongoing works in the district under Rural Development Department (RDD).Abdul Haq also inspected construction work of a playground at Manigam and directed the officers to acquire more land for the same besides ensuring parking space there.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the present dispensation has ensured that the funds in Rural Development Department are put to best use to create productive assets. He said, similarly funds under MGNREGA shall also be utilised to create productive assets in villages besides also doing flood protection works.The Minister said under the new concept of convergence of funds, sustainable assets are being created under MGNREGA in rural areas.