Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Yadav today held a Public Grievance Redress Camp at Barnoti to take appraisal of the local issues, grievances and demands.Scores of individuals and deputations led by PRIs put forth the issues related to the development and other amenities of their respective areas.Sarpanch Forlain-B West Panchayat demanded early start of restoration work on washed away areas due to recent spell of rain and floods. He also demanded repair of defunct hand pumps. Sarpanch Kishanpur Kandi sought renewal of Labour Card and installation of transformer in his area. Sarpanch Mearth projected low voltage problem. Sarpanch Budhi south demanded up-gradation of Barnoti- Budhi road and early completion of Juthana bridge.DDC Member Sushma Devi demanded disposal of genuine demands and problems projected by Sarpanchs.BDC Chairperson, Brijeshwar Singh said that the water shortage and low voltage are most important issues of the block spread over 31 Panchayats. He also demanded construction of toilets in the left out households under SBM.The DC gave a patient hearing to the demands and problems of the people and instructed the concerned officers to take up the problems related to their respective departments and redress the same in given time frame.
On the issue of recent damages due to rain and floods, the DC informed that the demand of funds for necessary restoration has been projected. He said the demand of sufficient Irrigation water supply through Punjab has been taken up with concerned authorities. He said with the completion of Shahpur Kandi Project the water needs of Kandi areas of Kathua district will be addressed permanently.Regarding the issues of demarcation of Panchayat Ghar of Kishanpur Kandi and Forlain East Panchayats, the DC said the revenue team will be deputed to undertake the demarcation task within days.He assured the repair of Hand Pumps in next few days and informed that over 400 Hand-pumps will be repaired in the district in a phased manner which will ease the drinking water needs.The DC also appealed people to pay timely electricity bills to contribute in Cleanliness and Restoration and rejuvenation of water bodies in their respective areas. SSP Kathua R.C Kotwal also assured people that a Police- Public meeting will be held at Barnoti to better the understanding between the Police and civil society. He said Police have taken the responsibility to provide physical training to Young Aspirants who want to join Police, Army or any other belt forces. He appealed people to report Police about activities related to Drug or Bovine Animals trafficking so that timely action can be taken against culprits.Earlier, Engineers of works department besides District and sectoral officers had a detail account of status of problems and demands projected by the representatives.Similar Block Diwas camps were also organised at Billawar, Basohli Sub -Districts and Bani and Hiranagar sub divisions today.