POONCH: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today visited Poonch and chaired an extensive review meeting held with the district and sectoral officers regarding development projects being executed in the district.
Senior officials from PWD (R&B), Industries & Commerce, Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Mining Departments, besides other stakeholders, attended the meeting.
The Deputy Chief Minister conducted a detailed assessment of the ongoing schemes and developmental works, including roads and bridges. He emphasised the need to enhance public service delivery and called for intensified awareness camps for youth and the general public on welfare schemes. The status of ITI and Polytechnic institutions was also reviewed in detail.
During the meeting, Surinder Choudhary reviewed major ongoing projects, including the construction of the Mini Secretariat Mendhar. He directed the concerned officers to ensure early completion of the remaining works. He also instructed the PWD Engineers to expedite the construction activities at the Jammu University Campus.
The Dy CM reviewed progress on the Model Residential School at Village Behra, Mendhar and issued strict directions to accelerate the pace of progress while maintaining high-quality standards. He also reviewed various road and motorable bridge projects and reiterated the need for completing works within stipulated timelines without compromising on quality.
Taking stock of PMGSY projects, he examined their tendering status and expenditures.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed the OC GREF to conduct on-ground inspection of ongoing works, ensure quality checks and remove potholes to facilitate smooth travel for the public.
Surinder Choudhary asked the concerned departments to maintain close coordination with DDCs, MLAs and other stakeholders to ensure better monitoring and efficient execution of developmental works.
The meeting was attended by DDC Chairperson Tazim Akhter and MLA Surankote Ch Mohammad Akram.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary held a comprehensive review meeting at Rajouri to assess the progress on works under various departments, including PWD (R&B), Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, besides Skill Development and Mining.
The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed in detail the progress on District Capex, UT Capex, Roads & Bridges, City & Towns, SASCI, NABARD and CRF works being executed in the district. He issued strict directions to blacklist non-performing contractors. He instructed the concerned officers to accelerate the completion of ongoing works pertaining to school buildings, hospitals and other public institutions. He also stressed for ensuring complete transparency in tendering and execution processes. He directed the officers to hold regular consultations with MLAs while framing developmental priorities.
While reviewing the functioning of the Mining Department, the Dy CM directed the authorities to check stone crushers, intensify enforcement and ensure that all mining activities are legalized as per norms.
The Deputy Chief Minister also took a review of the Industries & Commerce Department and sought a detailed report on Kheora industrial units. He directed the officers to identify and propose suitable locations for establishing new industrial units to boost local entrepreneurship and employment.
Taking stock of the Employment Department, the Dy CM called for expediting cases under Mission YUVA and ensuring timely facilitation of eligible youth. He also reviewed working of the Labour Department and issued instructions for renewal of labour cards in a time-bound manner.
While assessing Skill Development initiatives, he directed the officials to increase enrolment, introduce market-driven trades and strengthen skill infrastructure across the district.
The Deputy Chief Minister also interacted with the BRO authorities and directed them to ensure maintenance of alternative routes till completion of the ongoing tunnel project to provide hassle-free connectivity to the public.
The meeting was attended by MLA Rajouri, Iftikhar Ahmed; MLA Koteranka, Javed Choudhary; MLA Kalakote, Thakur Randheer Singh; MLA Thanamandi, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan; senior district officers; Chief Engineers; SE PWD; Executive Engineers from various divisions and sectoral officers of different departments.