Jammu: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Tuesday chaired a series of review meetings to assess flood relief measures, traffic management, functioning of educational institutions, and power sector works in Poonch district, stressing timely execution and accountability across departments.
The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioner Ashok Sharma and senior district officers via video conferencing, reviewed the status of relief structures for flood-affected families in Kalaban, Sarhuti and Sangiote. Expressing concern over delays, the Minister directed officials to expedite the process without further lapses. Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said relief must reach every affected household and that no family should be left behind.
Emphasising long-term resilience, Javed Ahmed Rana called for sustainable rehabilitation measures, including soil conservation, slope stabilisation, drainage improvement and plantation drives. He directed that these initiatives be implemented in convergence with the Forest Department to ensure optimal utilisation of resources.
Taking serious note of traffic congestion caused by improper parking in Mendhar and other areas, the Minister instructed the administration to take immediate corrective steps. He stressed regulation of heavy vehicle movement and enforcement of proper timing schedules to avoid disruption to school buses and emergency services, including ambulances.
The Minister also directed officials to involve elected representatives in planning and implementation of development programmes, underlining their role in reflecting grassroots concerns and ensuring better outreach.
Reviewing the functioning of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Javed Ahmed Rana directed that all pending construction works be completed within stipulated timelines. He assessed manpower availability, water supply reliability and infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to dining halls and hostel facilities for both boys and girls, and instructed officials to address all pending issues on priority to enhance the learning environment.
In a separate review, the Minister assessed the functioning of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited in Poonch, with a focus on expediting the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The meeting was attended by the Managing Director, Chief Engineer and other senior officials, who briefed him on the status of works and the roadmap ahead.
Conducting a detailed review, he examined key components including material supply chains, feeder-wise execution and installation of critical infrastructure such as electric poles, conductors, LT AB cables and transformers. Terming RDSS a transformative initiative for modernising the power distribution sector, Javed Ahmed Rana stressed improved efficiency, strict accountability and proactive planning.
Expressing concern over slow progress in parts of the district, he directed officials to remove bottlenecks and accelerate ongoing works. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable and equitable power supply, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Highlighting the importance of planned development, the Minister cautioned against haphazard infrastructure installation and emphasised proper technical planning, with priority for rural and far-flung regions.
He also called for regular on-site inspections to ensure adherence to quality standards and timelines, and stressed maintaining geo-tagged photographic records of project sites to enhance transparency and real-time monitoring. Additionally, he directed that any leftover works be taken up under CAPEX or other suitable schemes to ensure completion within set timelines.
