Islamabad
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is busy meeting individuals and delegations and the footfalls are still surging, reports from Islamabad said. Groups of people still getting in suggest that many people may have to be offered even food, an official who is looking after the visit said.
“There have been lot of delegations with lot many issues and the process has been going on since noon,” the official said. “Right now, there are around 100 people still waiting.”
Though the Chief Minister had started her public outreach earlier, her protracted interactions this weekend are being seen as an effort to reclaim the home turf. The belt witnessed massive violence during the 2016 unrest that was triggered by the killing of Burhan Wani, the teen militant commander.
An official spokesman said the Chief Minister listened to scores of deputations and hundreds of people in the grievance redressal camp that also saw the participation of Minister for Revenue Abdul Rehman Veeri, Minister of State for Hajj, Syed Farooq Andrabi, various legislators and party leaders.
Deputations from Verinag and Kokernag thanked the Chief Minister for getting the Vailoo-Singhpora tunnel approved by the Centre which would connect the district with Chenab Valley through a short road. Another deputation from Dooru thanked her for granting a model hospital to the town.
Several deputations from Verinag and Kokernag demanded establishment of playfields at Larnoo, Khreti and Bahai and setting up of an ITI in the area. They also demanded withdrawal of FIR against some local youth.
A deputation from Breng demanded construction of an office complex, adequate funding for the local water supply scheme besides putting Margan Top and other spots on the tourist map and developing the Hill Park there and bringing Kachwan-Matigawaran areas on the cellular connectivity network besides creating an ICDS block at Sagam or Kokernag.
The Chief Minister directed release of Rs 10 lacs for developing Hill Park for attracting more tourists.
Another deputation from Chek Ishardass sought strengthening of drinking water facilities in the area and setting up of a Girls Middle School in the area.
Mehbooba Mufti directed release of Rs 40 lac for strengthening the drinking water supply in the area by constructing some wells.
A deputation from Brinty, Batpora, sought stabilisation of drinking water supply network in the area besides removing encroachments on Achabal irrigation canal, making the local veterinary unit functional and upgradation of a local High School.
Mehbooba Mufti directed release of Rs 15 lac for improving the drinking water network in the area.
A deputation of Ando, Pushroo and Nowgam areas of Shangus area sought revision of rent on the land of ammunition dump at Khundroo, upgradation of Kachoo to Nowgam road besides strengthening drinking water supply network in these villages. Mehbooba Mufti directed release of Rs. 15 lac for strengthening the distribution network of water supply schemes in these villages.
A deputation of people from Dethoo, Kothar in Shangus area demanded upgradation of local High School to a Higher Secondary School besides improving water supply distribution and health facilities in their area.
The Chief Minister directed release of Rs 20 lac for improving PHE distribution network in the area.
A deputation from Bijbehara sought early completion of the local hospital, an ITI for training local youth, filtration plant for the town besides pacing up of beautification works on Jhelum banks in the town. They also demanded de silting of Marche Khul and construction of concrete lining on the Shah joe canal.
The Chief Minister directed Deputy Commissioner to undertake a drive to clear all encroachments on the banks of rivers, water bodies and canals. She also announced released of Rs. 10 lacs for completing the works at the local hospital.
Various deputations from Pahalgam sought establishment of a college in the area, development of local health centres and augmentation of drinking water facilities.
The Chief Minister directed release of Rs 30 lac for stabilising 11 ailing water supply schemes in the town to facilitate availability of quality drinking water to people. She also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad to hold frequent meetings of building permission committee to facilitate people of the area.
A deputation from Hapatnar, Pahalgam sought grid stability in the area, more funds for water supply schemes of Dachnipora and Khohwerpora, strengthening of PHC Sallar and Aishmuqam.
A deputation from Homeshalibug demanded cleaning and de silting of Nandi canal. They also demanded conceiving a lift irrigation scheme at Jablipora besides establishment of a dispensary at Arwani and posting of staff at PHC, Urnhall.
Mehbooba Mufti directed release of Rs. 15 lac for the cleaning of Nandi canal.
Several deputations from Qazigund sought creation of staff at the Trauma Hospital, desilting and beautification of Panzath spring, establishment of a girls college in the town and a sports field. Another deputation from Mir Bazaar sought strengthening of local PHC, widening of Mir Bazaar-Ashajipora road and upgradation of Sadura and Phunah High schools. They also demanded immediate handing over of building of PHC, Vessu to the Health Department for its operationalization.
A deputation of Auqaf Committee, Sofipora, Wularhama sought completion of on-going works at the local Imambara for which the Chief Minister directed release of Rs. 10 lacs.
Deputations of migrant employees, inhabitants of Vessu and Mattan Pandit colonies, Anantnag Town, ReT teachers, Shangus, Chattegul, Kothar, Nowgam, Shahabad Hiller, Siligam etc. also met Mehbooba Mufti and raised their demands with her.
The Chief Minister listened to the demands of the deputations throughout the day and it continued till late in the evening. In many of the cases Mehbooba Mufti gave on spot directions for the redressal of the grievances which was hailed by the deputationists.
During her overnight stay here, the Chief Minister would also be visiting Pahalagam as well to take stock of the developmental needs of people and listening to their problems.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan; senior officers from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Planning Department; heads of several Departments; Chiefs of many Engineering wings; Deputy Commissioner, Muhammad Younis; DIG, SKR, Syamprakash Pani; SSP, Muhammad Altaf Khan and officers of District administration were present on the occasion.
It may be recalled here that the public outreach programme launched by the Chief Minister has evoked a good response from the public who come up with their problems for an on the spot redressal. Started from Pulwama, these public outreach programmes were conducted by the Chief Minister at Kupwara, Budgam, Ramban and Baramulla during which hundreds of people apprised her about their problems and difficulties.
