Expedite development projects in Kinnaur, minister asks officials

Our Correspondent

Rampur, August 6

The Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, held a meeting with PWD officials of Karcham and Bhabanagar in Reckong Peo today and issued necessary directives.

The Revenue Minister directed the present officials to promptly complete the pending development works. He emphasised that the state government was ensuring the overall development of the state, including the tribal district Kinnaur.

Additionally, strong efforts were being made to strengthen the economy of farmers and horticulturists. It was crucial that the officials ensure the successful implementation of various developmental works and schemes at the grassroots level without any negligence and work diligently so that the benefits of the government’s various welfare policies and schemes reach the general public, he added.

Negi mentioned that the apple season was about to commence in the district and it was essential to keep the roads in a good condition for its successful execution. He instructed the PWD officials to promptly repair all damaged roads and connectivity routes so that the district’s horticulturists could transport their apples and other fruits to the markets on time. He also directed to ensure the availability of sufficient machinery and labour at sensitive locations like Nathpa, Nigulsari, Maling Nala and Pagal Nullah to reopen these roads promptly in case of any emergency.

The Tribal Development Minister instructed the officials to blacklist contractors who show negligence in their work, do not complete the tasks on time or fail to maintain quality. He emphasised that the quality of ongoing development works in the state, including the tribal districts, should be given special attention and that any negligence in developmental works would not be tolerated.

The meeting was also attended by Kalpa SDM Shashank Gupta, Assistant Commissioner Vijay Kumar and officials from the PWD.

Negi also inaugurated an additional building at Government Primary School, Kupa, in Kamru gram panchayat of the Kalpa development block. The building was constructed, with the support of the JSW’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, at a cost of Rs 19 lakh.

Negi said the Congress government was making continuous efforts to improve the quality of education in the state, including the tribal districts. As part of these efforts, English was introduced as a medium of instruction in government schools from this academic session.

Teachers were being equipped with modern facilities and educational institutions were being provided with contemporary educational tools to ensure that students receive quality and modern education at their doorstep, he added.

Negi also emphasised that the state government stands with every family affected by the recent calamities and was committed to providing all possible assistance. He mentioned that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for those affected by the disaster and Rs 5,000 per month for those renting houses, to offer them support.

The government was working tirelessly for the uplift and development of every neglected section of society and was taking concrete steps for the overall development of the state, Negi said.