STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting of officials here and took stock of the development activities during her first visit to the Valley after assuming office.
Asking officers to lead from the front in solving problems of the people, Mehbooba described former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s vision as a perfect roadmap in making districts real models in development and urged deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police to carry forward his mission.
Stressing on strict adherence to the standing operating procedures (SoPs) while dealing with law and order situations, the Chief Minister said deputy commissioners and SSPs will be held directly responsible for public delivery mechanism in their respective districts.
She invited suggestions from the DGP in better crowd management by using innovative methods to safeguard human lives in law and order situations.
“Real administration lies with the DCs and district SPs.
You are the principle instruments of change and I expect immediate results so that people who are the real stakeholders feel a positive change on the ground,” she said.
On the issue of implementation of the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), Mehbooba expressed serious concern over non-adherence of timelines fixed under various services with special reference to issuance of rations cards, copy of FIRs, birth and death certificates.
She directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar to conceive a model in implementation of PSGA which can be replicated in other districts.
She said she would be sending cases on experimental basis to check if the system was working properly and added that she would be happy if the services are extended to people well before the stipulated timeline, especially in case of CID verification carried out for issuance of passports as well as NoCs for newly-appointed candidates in government service.
She also issued immediate directions for devising a mechanism where the deputy commissioners and SSPs hear public grievances at least two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 2 PM to 5 PM.
She observed that in many cases a law and order situation arises due to unmet civic demands. If genuine concerns related to basic amenities are addressed, several law-and-order issues will be automatically resolved, she said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar, and several other senior officers, including deputy commissioners and police heads of Valley’s districts.
Drawing attention of officers to gaps in implementation of National Food Security Act, Mehbooba stressed on proper identification of consumers in each category and publishing reconciled information for general public right from village level.
The Divisional Commissioners informed her about the steps taken for implementation of NFSA, especially with reference to Srinagar, where complaints were received about exclusion of families from the ambit of the Act.
The Chief Minister issued instructions to Divisional Commissioner to hold meetings with mutton dealers so that consumers are provided mutton as per rates fixed by the government. She also passed directions to make auto-rickshaw meters functional within one month.
She said the SPs must also deal effectively with normal crimes, especially those committed against women, thefts and youth falling prey to menace of drugs. Pendency in criminal cases has to be cleared so that common people feel a sense of relief, she added.
The Chief Minister singled out solid waste management as a daunting task for the Deputy Commissioners and also pointed out difficulties faced by the people due to the stink emanating from Achan dumping site in Srinagar.
“I will visit each of the districts to see for myself the status of solid waste management projects as this is a serious health issue for the people at large,” she added.
The Chief Minister announced a pilot solid waste management project for R S Pura in Jammu. A similar project in Kulgam in Kashmir Valley has already been started.
Emphasising on strict implementation of rule of law, Mehbooba called for retrieving public spaces from encroachers and pedestrian pathways to allow better management of traffic.
She also suggested additional manpower in traffic wing of the police for smooth movement of vehicles. Traffic management has emerged as a real challenge and drastic steps are required to get rid of traffic breakdowns, she added.
She highlighted the need to inculcate traffic discipline, particularly related to roadside parking, use of helmets for both driver and pillion, use of seat belts and barring use of cell phones while driving.
Mehbooba also called for better management of street vendors so that they earn their livelihood without creating traffic hassles and problems in movement of general public.
She laid stress on the completion of the construction of Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh Flyover, being executed by Economic Reconstruction Agency, by December 31.
The Chief Minister was also informed by the Divisional Commissioner about the closure of traffic in patches along the under construction site, keeping in view the safety and security of commuters.
With active support of police, the work on the project is being monitored on a daily basis. Most of the critical works are done at night, the Divisional Commissioner said.
