POONCH, Mar 1: In a bid to strengthen ties with the community, the Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, wrapped up his Rajouri-Poonch tour by holding a comprehensive public outreach camp in Balakote, where he engaged with numerous delegations to address their concerns.
The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Tahir Mustafa Malik, along with SDM Mendhar and various district and sector officials and local residents.
During the outreach camp, Rana interacted with several delegations who brought up critical issues, including the need for a Government Degree College and a Girls High School in Balakote, upgrades for various educational institutions, improvements in healthcare facilities, provision of fire and emergency vehicles, enhancement of road infrastructure, the establishment of a model residential full boarding school, better power infrastructure, the welfare of tribal communities, timely completion of the Khanetar Basooni WSS, upgrades to the WSS Naloi, and the installation of water hand pumps in various locations among other developmental requirements.
The Minister assured the delegations of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns in a timely manner.
During his five-day tour of the Pir Panjal region, he conducted several public camps in Mankote and Mendhar to assess the developmental needs of the community and ensure they are prioritized in government policies.
Speaking to the crowd at Balakote, Rana stressed the government’s active role in meeting their development needs and placing emphasis on their fundamental requirements to improve their overall quality of life.
The Minister also announced multiple development initiatives for the area, including a substantial investment of 1 crore for the construction of a Tehsil Office Complex and residential quarters for doctors in Balakote. Additionally, plans are underway to construct two guest houses at Bhimber Gali as part of efforts to enhance tourism in the region.
He further remarked, “Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has given explicit directions to address public issues directly and our government is dedicated to fulfilling all promises made to the people.”
Javed Rana mentioned that the outreach camp is a vital part of the government’s initiative to ensure citizen voices are heard and their concerns addressed. “Community engagement is crucial in improving the efficiency and transparency of our decision-making process. It allows the government to make better-informed choices and identify the needs of local communities on significant issues,” he stated.
Highlighting the necessity for all-weather connectivity to remote areas in the Balakote block and beyond, Rana urged for surveys to be conducted under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to identify suitable habitations and routes. He also instructed relevant authorities to ensure adequate drinking water facilities at the high school in Balakote.
Rana established targets for the Jal Shakti and Power Development Departments within the block and urged officials to collaborate to ensure that all projects are completed promptly.
The Minister called for immediate action regarding rainwater harvesting techniques and underscored the importance of raising public awareness to safeguard this critical resource. “Water scarcity, compounded by climate change, significantly affects people’s lives. The water table is depleting rapidly and resources are dwindling. We must act swiftly and collectively for the benefit of future generations,” he emphasized.
He noted that this proactive approach sets the stage for sustainable resource management, addressing water scarcity concerns while maintaining agricultural productivity.
As part of the outreach initiative, the Minister also took part in plantation and awareness campaigns organized by the J&K Forest Department under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”.
