On the directions of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Minister for Rural Development Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq today visited Thathri to personally take stock of the damage caused during recent cloudburst and flashfloods in the area. He distributed ex-gratia relief among the affected families as announced by the Chief Minister.The Minister distributed an amount of Rs 24 lakh among the next of the kin of six persons who were killed in the flashfloods. An amount of Rs 10000 each was also distributed among 41 affected families.The Minister met the affected families and expressed condolences with the bereaved families and assured them every possible support from the government.
The Minister was accompanied by MLC Firdous Ahmad Tak and other senior officers of the district administration. He said though the natural calamities cannot be averted but the better planning in future will help to reduce the loss.The Minister later visited Gali Bhalessa. Enroute minister inspected various villages affected by frequent landslides and flashfloods including Jaba Batoli, Jakyas, Bathri, Batyas and Chilly Pingal.At Chilly Pingal, the Minister assured the villagers that RDD will construct two bridges in the block including Kundaili bridge and Sanwara bridge.At Chilly Bhalessa, the Minister visited Government Higher Secondary School and interacted with the students and the staff. On students complaint of staff shortage, the Minister assured students that he will take up the issue with concerned to ensure sufficient staff at the school. The Minister also inaugurated the additional accommodation building at the school which was constructed the Rural Development Department.
Later the Minister visited Government High School Malath Bhalessa and interacted with staff and students. The Minister directed the BDO concerned to construct a protection wall for the school and a drain around the school to ensure proper drainage of water. He further assured the staff and students that he will raise the issue of staff shortage and other related issues with concerned authorities and that their grievances will be redressed shortly.At Bhalessa Gali, the Minister held a public Durbar which was attended by a huge gathering. The locals apprised the minister about various problems faced by them including road connectivity, protection walls in flood prone areas, effective implementation of various schemes including MGNREGA and IAY besides other issues.
Addressing the gathering, Abdul Haq asked the people to actively participate in decision making. He said people have the right to know what schemes are being implemented in their respective areas and right to decide for themselves by participating in Gram Sabhas.He asked people to be eyes and ears of the government by closely watching implementation of the government schemes.He asked the officers to ensure transparency in the department and keep public informed about the decisions taken at village level. He said every citizen should be aware of the activities of the department and it is duty of the field staff to make people a part of the decision making by ensuring their presence in the Gram Sabhas.