Secretary, Mining, Dr. Rashmi Singh, on Wednesday visited Kupwara and presided over a mega Public Darbar at Government Boys' Degree College held to take stock of public grievances and development activities in the district. She took part in a plantation drive conducted by Kehmil Forest division and planted saplings of Deodar trees in the Degree College premises.
Secretary, who is also Mentor Secretary for Kupwara district, chaired a mega Public Darbar which was attended by members of District Development Council Kupwara, BDC Chairpersons, PRIs, Officers of district administration and general public.
An open discussion was also held where general public presented their demands and grievances for speedy disposal. Chairman District Development Council Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, SSP Kupwara, Yougal Manhas, President Municipal Council Kupwara, Reyaz Ahmad Mir and ADDC Kupwara, Altaf Ahmad Khan were present on the occasion.
Locals praised the people friendly approach of DC Kupwara and role of SSP Kupwara for his efforts in curbing the drug menace in the district. Addressing the Public Darbar, Reshmi Singh said that despite so many challenges Kupwara district is undergoing a major transformation in the development arena.
She stressed on public service delivery in a time bound manner while asking officers and PRIs to become problem solvers and contribute for society’s growth and development. She said that main aim of conducting Public Darbar is to minimise communication gap between the administration and the people.
While replying to grievances raised by the general public and PRIs about excessive sand and boulder dredging while mining in different Nallaha's of Kupwara district, Secretary said we are working to bring a balance between legal mining and environment so that livelihood of people and environment is not affected.
Mentor Secretary, while addressing the gathering, said that all grievances will be taken up with the concerned quarters for an early action. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, apprised the Secretary of the developmental scenario and achievements recorded under different sectors and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the district.
DC said that Kupwara district is blessed with immense natural beauty and offers huge tourism potential. Foot fall of tourists in the district has increased manifold during the past three years, he added. This year around 3 lakh tourists visited different tourist destinations of the district.
DC said that 2300 works in the district were completed during the last financial year. She said that there is peace on the borders and people are reaping the dividends of growth and development as there is major transformation of development in the district. He said that the district administration will leave no stone unturned to achieve the targets set for the current financial year.
DC added that GMC Handwara has started functioning from makeshift arrangement and first batch of 100 students of MBBS have taken admission in GMC Handwara. "Work is in progress on 12 MV hydel project at Karnah while Beacon has undertaken a major road project from Rafiabad to Tangdhar.
Besides, PWD is constructing Bungas road and DDC, BDC residential complex is in the final stage of completion " DC informed.Later, Secretary e-inaugurated Panchayat Bhawan Kandi A, Panchayat Bhawan Poshpora B, Panchayat Bhawan Reshigund and Panchayat Bhawan Dudipora constructed under RGSA in convergence with 13 FCA , 14 FCA with a project cost of Rs.29.43 lakh by Rural Development Department Kupwara.
She also e-inaugurated Children Park and Open Gym at Galizoo constructed by R&B with a project cost of Rs.50.00 lakh.On the occasion, Secretary inspected several stalls established by different departments of district administration.
She interacted with successful entrepreneurs and progressive farmers. On the occasion, several successful entrepreneurs perusing businesses like the honey processing, Milk processing (FPO), Fisheries, Sheep Husbandry and PMEGP shared their experiences and success stories with the general public.