UDHAMPUR, FEB 20: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at Dak Bungalow, Udhampur, to assess the progress of various developmental projects and flagship schemes being implemented across multiple sectors in the district.
As per the statement issued to The Newsroom 24 – Awaz, 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 emphasized the need to achieve 100% coverage of eligible beneficiaries under all government schemes. He instructed officials to intensify public awareness campaigns to ensure that the people of Udhampur fully benefit from the schemes and programs. He called for the mobilization of resources and manpower for the effective implementation of welfare and development projects.
Focusing on sector-specific improvements, Satish Sharma directed the Chief Education Officer to identify school dropouts and submit a list promptly. The Health Department was instructed to streamline patient referral systems for enhanced healthcare services, while the Chief Agriculture Officer was tasked with organizing awareness camps on the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and other farmer-centric initiatives.
Regarding the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the Minister advised officials to simplify the survey process and not insist on ration cards as mandatory documents, to ensure that the most deserving beneficiaries can avail the scheme.
The Minister also reviewed infrastructure projects, directing PMGSY, PWD, and RDD officials to expedite road construction and meet deadlines. He urged for close coordination among departments to ensure effective grievance redressal and improved public service delivery. Emphasizing the importance of rural sports, he called for the development of sports infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Encouraging the adoption of organic farming, Satish Sharma highlighted its role in boosting agricultural yields and enhancing the district’s sustainability goals.
During the meeting, local MLAs raised various developmental concerns, including:
- Expansion of Chenani bus stand
- Construction of multi-storey parking at Patnitop
- Shortage and rationalization of teaching staff
- Land transfer for KV School
- Forest clearance for pending projects
- Operationalization of JKRTC Bus Yard
- Promotion of rural sports
- Installation of hand pumps
- Completion of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works
- Traffic congestion mitigation
- Staff shortages in health institutions
- Establishment of an ITI in Ramnagar
- Development of Seoz Dhar as a tourist destination
- Conversion of Basantgarh Hospital into a Community Health Centre (CHC)
Earlier, DC Udhampur, Saloni Rai, gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation highlighting the progress of major projects such as the Chenani-Sudhmahadev Road (NH-244), Government Medical College & Associated Hospital, Udhampur, the Devika Project, and the Tourist Facilitation Centre at Mantalai.
The review covered key sectors including 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, and HADP. Financial updates on the District Capex Budget 2023-24 and 2024-25 were also presented.
The Minister later visited the Sports Stadium Udhampur to inspect the ongoing pavilion construction and interacted with players at the Indoor Sports Hall.
In the afternoon, various public delegations and individuals met the Minister, presenting demands such as:
- Weighing machine installation at Ramnagar food store
- Forest clearance for Sharda Mata road construction
- Playfield construction in Ghantwal
- Badminton Indoor Hall in Chenani
- RTC bus service from Pattangarh and Sudhmahadev to Jammu
- PHC establishment in Block Narsoo
- Addressing overcharging by matadors in Udhampur town
Satish Sharma assured the public that their issues would be reviewed carefully, and necessary actions would be taken to address their concerns.
