Advisor Baseer visits Poonch, Inspects Dev works of RDD, PDD &Tourism Deptt

Poonch: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Monday conducted an extensive tour of frontier district Poonch to take stock of various ongoing development works being executed by Rural Development Department, Power Development Department, Tourism Department and other sectors in the district. He also held meeting with representatives of Panchayati Raj Institution (District development Council) & interacted with several public delegations to get feedback on the pace of development in this border and hilly district and also to address the public grievances and issues.
The Advisor started inspecting the works of Rural Development Department right from ‘Peer ki Gali’. Enroute to district Poonch via Mughal road, Advisor inspected ongoing works of Rural Development Department and the works being under taken by the tourism department. He inspected Tourism park at ‘Noori- Chum’.
While appreciating the works, he emphasized on creating durable assets and maintaining quality of works. On the way he held detailed deliberations with CEO Tourism and passed slew of instructions for exploring the scope of tourism potential along the Mughal road. He directed the officer to have a plan prepared to add to tourist infrastructure especially the wayside amenities to facilitate the tourist. He said the area is fertile for Tourism related activities and the department has to explore possibilities of exploiting the tourism potential in the area.
The Advisor, later unveiled a book ‘compendium of self employment schemes’ at Poonch, in brief ceremony organised by District administration Poonch in presence of District Development Council (DDC) and the galaxy of senior officers. He appreciated the efforts of District administration for igniting the spirit of self-employment/entrepreneurship among the unemployed youth in the district.
While reviewing the Development Profile of the District, Advisor Baseer Khan said PRIs are very important organs of development, they have a role in monitoring developmental works. They inherently have their specific role in planning and implementation of government schemes on ground. He said that Rural Development Department should take up development of playfields in each of the Panchayat so that local youth get the facility of channelizing their energy in the games and personality development. Advisor Khan called for holding a meeting with PRIs regularly for seeking their feedback on availability of basic amenities in their respective areas. He further directed the administration to resolve issues identified /projected by public representatives from time to time in time bound manner.
While discussing the power scenario and the development of Power infrastructure, the Advisor said that J&K Government is committed to upgrade the power scenario in whole UT. He directed the officers to have the replacement of damaged poles, conductors and wires done immediately wherever required as already directed in the meetings taken in the regard. He further said the the PRIs should be involved in the process and any other demand that is required to improve the power supply in the area should be brought to the notice of District Administration so that needful is done before the winter season.
The Advisor reiterated his directions for exploration of tourism potential in the area by strengthening road connectivity & other required infrastructure to cater to the aspirations of youth. He added that there is a huge potential of tourism in the district and directed the Tourism authorities for identification of new tourist destinations. He further said that every possible effort would be made to boost the tourism in the area for the overall development of the area.
While interacting with district development counsel/ DDCs& BDCs the Advisor stressed upon the adoption of Covid appropriate behaviour in letter and spirit. He urged upon the people to follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in letter and spirit and termed it vital to avert any kind of exigency that may arise due to third wave of the pandemic. The Advisor asked the PRI/ULB members to assume bigger role in this regard. They should propagate the importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distance and having vaccinations done among the masses at the village and Panchayat levels. He emphasized that in view of opening of schools, the responsibility of PRIs has increased manifold to monitor the COVID appropriate behaviour (CAB) religiously and vigorously. On the occasion he directed the administration to maintain the guard on Covid and educate people on the do’s and don’ts they should follow. He said there is a need to have 100% vaccination so that community immunity is achieved.
While interacting with the delegations of prominent citizens drawn from different parts of the district, Advisor Baseer Khan said that government is committed for equitable developments so that welfare of most neglected sections of the society is realised. While addressing the delegations he said that the infrastructural and manpower improvements are visible in every corner of Jammu & Kashmir and further additions are being taken up on mission mode with special focus on improving road connectivity, health infrastructure, power and drinking water.
Earlier public representatives raised number of developmental issues notable among them are creation of transformer repairing workshops, early start of works under Jalshakti scheme to cater water scarcity in the district, opening of bank branches in identified areas, immediate repair of bridge at Drungali Nallah, circular road in Poonch town for decongestion of traffic, women college, medical college, creation of additional Session court at Mendhar and Munsif court at Mandi, ration distribution through offline mode on account of poor internet connectivity, special recruitment drives for youth living along the fence.
The Advisor gave a patient hearing to all the issues and demands. He resolved most of the issues by directing the concerned officers on the spot and said that all other genuine issues will be taken up with concerned quarters. He said that every possible initiative is being taken to streamline the public service delivery besides terming hassle free public service delivery system as the core concern.
Present on the occasion were Chairman DDC Mrs Tazeem Akther along with Council, Deputy Commissioner Inderjeet, SSP, Vinod Kumar, Chief engineers and HODs, Chairman Municipal Councils and all district and sectoral officers.