SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday interacted with citizens through video conferencing during the “LG’s Mulaqaat”; Live Public Grievance Hearing program at the Civil Secretariat.
The Lt Governor sought action taken reports from Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments regarding the pending grievances from the LG’s Mulaqaat program. The chair was informed that 355 cases have been redressed.
Sinha stated that the constant endeavor of the UT Administration is to strengthen good governance, ensuring that the benefits of welfare measures reach the poorest of the poor and guaranteeing the immediate disposal of their grievances.
“Efficient handling of grievances and addressing the needs of the people is an instrument of social change and economic growth. The integrated approach by stakeholders is yielding significant results, and collective efforts have encouraged effective public participation in planning and implementing projects,” he said.
Responding to a complaint by Bashir Ahmad Wani from Dooru Bandipora concerning the encroachment of a Nallah in his locality, the Lt Governor directed the District and Police Administration to remove the illegal encroachment and take legal action against the encroacher.
Siraj Salam from Baramulla brought to the Lt Governor’s attention the issue of unauthorised charging of hefty admission fees by a private school for his daughter’s admission. The Lt Governor requested details on the issue and instructed the Director of School Education to ensure the child’s admission and take necessary action against the school.
Regarding the grievances of complainants Ishfaq Ahmad of Dar Mohalla Budgam and Prem Singh from Jammu concerning water supply in their localities, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam and the ADC of Jammu briefed the chair that upcoming schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission will address the need for water supply in the respective areas.
Responding to the complaint by Sant Ram, a resident of Banjer Korara in Doda, regarding the sanctioning of Old-age pension, the Lt Governor directed officials to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the beneficiaries in a timely manner.
He also sought the status of pending pension and scholarship applications from the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department. He issued a directive to make the process of granting pensions and scholarships more robust for the welfare of eligible beneficiaries.
“Deputy Commissioners must ensure the timely renewal and expeditious sanction of new cases through special camps at Block Diwas for the complete saturation of pension and scholarship schemes. All stakeholders must work with complete dedication to speed up major road and other infrastructure development projects,” the Lt Governor said.
Rehana Batul, Secretary of Public Grievances, conducted the proceedings of the LG’s Mulaqaat.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; R K Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Department; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lt. Governor; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners; Deputy Commissioners; SSPs; HoDs; and other senior officers were present during the interaction, in person and through virtual mode. (KNO)
