Satish Sharma reviews development projects, flagship schemes in Udhampur

Udhampur : To assess the progress on various developmental projects and flagship schemes being implemented across different sectors in Udhampur, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, chaired a high level review meeting here on Thursday.
Among others the meeting was attended by DDC Chairperson Udhampur, Lal Chand; MLA Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia; MLA Ramnagar, Sunil Bhardwaj; MLA Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania; Vice Chairperson DDC, Juhi Manhas Pathania; Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai; SSP Udhampur, Amod Ashok Nagpure along with divisional and district heads of various departments.
The Minister, while reviewing all the sectors, directed the officers to ensure 100 percent coverage of eligible beneficiaries under all the government schemes. He emphasized the need for intensifying public awareness initiatives so that people can fully avail the benefits of these schemes. He directed the officers to increase public awareness about the flagship schemes and programmes in the district. He directed the concerned officers for mobilisation of resources and manpower for effective implementation of all the welfare and development schemes.
The Minister asked the Chief Education Officer to identify the school dropouts and provide a list at the earliest. He instructed the Health Department to streamline patient referral cases for better healthcare delivery. While Chief Agriculture Officer was directed to conduct awareness camps on HADP and other farmer centric schemes.
Regarding PMAY, the Minister asked the concerned officials to simplify the process of survey and don’t ask for ration card as mandatory document so that maximum people in actual need can get benefit of the scheme.
The Minister directed the PMGSY, PWD and RDD authorities to expedite road construction projects and achieve set targets within the stipulated timelines. He exhorted upon the officers to work in close coordination to ensure effective grievance redress and enhanced public service delivery. He also emphasised on promoting rural sports and developing sports infrastructure at the grassroots level.
The Minister highlighted the importance of organic farming and encouraged its adoption in the district for enhanced yield.
During the meeting, the local MLAs highlighted several concerns and demands seeking a speedy resolution of the same. Their issues inter alia included expansion of Chenani bus stand, construction of multi-storey parking at Patnitop, shortage and rationalisation of teaching staff in educational institutions, land transfer for KV School, Forest clearance for various projects, operationalisation of JKRTC Bus Yard in Udhampur, promotion of sports infrastructure and rural sports activities, installation of hand pumps and early completion of JJM works, mitigation of traffic congestion, staff shortage in health institutions, acute shortage of drinking water, establishment of an ITI in Ramnagar, development of Seoz Dhar as a tourist destination, conversion of Basantgarh Hospital into a CHC, resolution of issues related to ‘Hanging Schools and dismantling of Pavilion at Sports Stadium Udhampur,
Earlier, DC Udhampur gave a sector-wise detailed PowerPoint Presentation on various ongoing projects and schemes, highlighting the progress of major initiatives. These included Chenani-Sudhmahadev road NH-244, Government Medical College & Associated Hospital, Udhampur, Devika project, integrated development of tourist facilitation centre at Mantalai.
The DC briefed the chair about the key sectors such as PHE, PWD, PDD, Health, PMGSY, FCS&CA, Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Social Welfare, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, RDD, ICDS, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Jal Jeevan Mission, MGNREGA, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PMAY-G, HADP and financial updates on the District Capex Budget 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Earlier, the Minister visited the Sports stadium Udhampur to inspect the ongoing pavilion construction work and interacted with players at the Indoor sports hall.
Later, scores of public delegations and individuals met the Minister and put forth their issues and demands. These included installation of weighing machine at Ramnagar food store, forest clearance issues in Sharda Mata road construction, construction of playfield in Ghantwal and Badminton Indoor Hall in Chenani, provision of RTC bus service from Pattangarh and Sudhmahadev to Jammu, overcharging by matadors operating in Udhampur town, establishment of PHC in Block Narsoo and other issues.
The Minister assured the public that their demands would be reviewed and appropriate measures would be taken to address them.