Minister of Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh today held a public grievance redressal camp at Kathua.Speaking on the occasion Lal Singh said such monthly meetings provide an important platform to review progress and strategize future planning to effective implementation of various demand driven schemes at grassroots level. The Minister directed all the DFOs in general to undertake spot verification prior to giving permission for felling of snags and downed logs and directed DFO Billawar in particular to visit Chau Bangla forest guest house and prepare a detailed report for its renovation.Various deputations from Kathua, Basohli, Billawar and Hiranagar apprised the Minister about their problems mainly pertaining to PHE, PDD, ration distribution, installation of hand pumps along with plantation of shady and fruit trees.
Residents of Rasoo raised the demand of replacing the existing PHE infrastructure as it is not sufficient to cater the needs of present time. Villagers of kandi area highlighted the demand of simplifying the process of cutting and selling of Khair trees to make it farmer friendly. Issue of pending MGNREGA dues was also raised. HODs of all the wings of Forest Department along with senior district officers and prominent citizens of Kathua, Billawar, Basholi and Hiranagar were present in the camp.Later, Ch Lal Singh also visited Kathua district stadium where he was the chief guest in the final match of Jammu Kathua Premier League (JKPL) - season I, played between Kathua Blues and Saajan 11. Altogether, 32 teams participated in the cricket tournament where Kathua Blues lifted the trophy by defeating Saajan 11 by 9 wickets.