STATE TIMES NEWS
SAMBA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reiterated his government’s commitment to unbiased governance, emphasizing that decisions would not be influenced by political affiliations or party lines.
He urged officers to address public issues brought forth by elected representatives with seriousness and urgency. Chairing a district review meeting at the Conference Hall in Samba, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Satish Sharma.
The meeting was also attended by District Development Council chairperson Samba, Members of Legislative Assembly SS Slathia (Samba), Chander Prakash Ganga (Vijaypur), and Devinder Kumar Manyal (Ramgarh). Besides, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, administrative secretaries, departmental heads, and other senior officers.
Highlighting the importance of responsive governance, the Chief Minister stated, “I urge all of you and your officers to address the public issues raised by MLAs with seriousness and urgency. They are elected representatives of the people, and it is natural for people to expect solutions through them. As I have always maintained, this government-or any government-should not make decisions based on the basis of political affiliations. We must prioritize whether a project holds public utility or a public issue benefits the people. If it does, it must be processed and dealt with without delay.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the challenges faced by the administration this year, citing two major elections as key reasons for delayed developmental activities.
He remarked, “The Parliament elections stretched over a long period, and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct brought work to a halt. Even in some areas, where the work season coincided with the elections, progress was further delayed.”
Addressing the district-specific concerns, he urged the administration to expedite developmental activities, stating, “Accelerate the pace of work as much as possible, ensuring it is executed effectively at the ground level. Efforts must focus on completing the work satisfactorily.”
He also stressed the importance of timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for funds to be allocated by the central government. He said, “When we approach the central government repeatedly-whether to discuss with a minister or secure funds for Jammu and Kashmir-the common complaint is that UCs are not submitted on time. Prompt submission of UCs will ensure continuity of financial support and effective resource utilization.”
Speaking on governance, CM Omar Abdullah noted the impact of the return of MLAs after 2018.
“With the return of MLAs, public expectations and pressures have significantly increased. This requires a coordinated effort to address the people’s demands effectively.”
Chief Minister took note of key issues raised during the meeting such as progress in respect of industrial estates, installation of smart meters. He directed immediate review and resolution of issues flagged by MLAs and concerns raised by MLAs to be verified.
Calling drug addiction a growing menace over the past decade, Chief Minister Abdullah emphasized coordinated efforts to curb its impact.
He remarked, “Despite securing international borders, the problem persists due to inflow from other areas.
Addressing this issue at its source is critical for our state.”
The Chief Minister assured action, stating that the Dy CM has already directed the DC and officers to address the issue promptly.
The Chief Minister also addressed critical infrastructure concerns, including delays in the Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway project.
He urged officials to resolve land acquisition and other bottlenecks to keep the project on track. Touching on staffing issues, he expressed concern over vacancies in hospitals and schools due to the practice of staff attachments.
He directed officers to provide details of such cases so that corrective measures can be taken to fill posts in rural areas.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of addressing public grievances raised by DDC members, MLAs, and civil society during the public outreach programme.
Other issues raised included drinking water supply, sanitation, regularization of daily wagers, upgradation of schools, establishment of colleges in remote areas, industrial policy, and shortage of staff in hospitals and schools.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Samba, Rajesh Sharma, presented a detailed profile of the district, outlining targets and achievements across various departments, including Jal Shakti (PHE), Public Works (R&B), Power Development, Education, Health, Agriculture, and Social Welfare.
The Chief Minister also e-inaugurated three key projects and laid the e-foundation stone for another transformative initiative. These projects, designed to enhance public welfare and boost the region’s development, were virtually dedicated to the people.
Following the review meeting, the Chief Minister conducted a redressal camp, where local residents, industrial representatives, and delegations from far-flung areas submitted grievances and demands.
The Chief Minister assured the people that their genuine concerns would be resolved promptly. While concluding, chief minister Omar Abdullah praised the overall performance of the district despite challenges, expressing confidence in continued cooperation and progress.
He encouraged MLAs and stakeholders to submit priority projects in writing for inclusion in upcoming budget proposals, ensuring better planning and execution in the next fiscal year.