CM convenes samba district review meeting
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Dec 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s dedication to equitable governance today, highlighting that decisions would remain free from political influence or partisanship. He called on officials to prioritize and swiftly address public concerns raised by elected representatives.
Leading a district review meeting at the Conference Hall in Samba, the Chief Minister was joined by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Satish Sharma.
Attendees included District Development Council Chairperson Samba, Members of the Legislative Assembly SS Slathia (Samba), Chander Prakash Ganga (Vijaypur), and Devinder Kumar Manyal (Ramgarh), along with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, and other senior officials.
Emphasizing responsive governance, the Chief Minister stated, “I urge all of you and your officers to take the public issues raised by MLAs seriously and act urgently. MLAs represent the people’s voice, and it is expected that they deliver solutions. This government, like any government, should not make decisions based on political lines. Our priority must be the public benefit of any project or issue, and we must ensure timely processing.”
On governance, Omar acknowledged that the return of MLAs since 2018 has heightened public expectations and pressure, necessitating a collaborative approach to meet these demands effectively.
During the meeting, significant topics were discussed, including the progress of industrial estates and the installation of smart meters. The Chief Minister issued directives for immediate review and resolution of concerns raised by MLAs.
He also addressed crucial infrastructure matters, such as delays in the Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway project, urging officials to tackle land acquisition and other hurdles to keep the project on schedule. Regarding staffing issues, he expressed concern about vacant positions in healthcare facilities and schools due to existing staff attachments. He instructed officers to report such cases to enable corrective action and fill vacancies in rural areas.
Omar stressed the need to address public grievances presented by DDC members, MLAs, and civil society during outreach programs. Other matters discussed included drinking water supply, sanitation, the regularization of daily wage workers, school upgrades, the establishment of colleges in remote areas, industrial policy, and staffing shortages in hospitals and educational institutions.
Previously, Deputy Commissioner Samba Rajesh Sharma provided a comprehensive overview of the district, highlighting objectives and accomplishments across various sectors, including Public Health Engineering (PHE), Public Works (R&B), Power Development, Education, Health, Agriculture, and Social Welfare.
The Chief Minister also initiated three important projects via e-inauguration and laid the foundation stone for another transformative initiative, all aimed at enhancing public welfare and fostering regional development.
After the review meeting, Omar held a grievance redressal camp, allowing local residents, industrial representatives, and delegations from remote areas to voice their concerns and requests.
The Chief Minister assured attendees that their legitimate issues would be tackled promptly. In conclusion, Omar commended the district’s overall performance amidst challenges, expressing optimism for ongoing collaboration and progress. He encouraged MLAs and stakeholders to submit priority projects in writing for consideration in future budget proposals, ensuring thorough planning and execution for the upcoming fiscal year.
