Poonch: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Sunday interacted with several delegations from different areas of Mendhar to hear their grievances, demands and developmental concerns.
During the interaction, residents raised issues related to settlement of Forest Rights Act claims, deployment of mobile teachers in schools, macadamisation of roads and installation of street lights in the area.
The locals urged the Minister to expedite disposal of long-pending Forest Rights Act cases and ensure that tribal and forest-dwelling communities receive their entitled rights without delay.
They also highlighted shortage of teaching staff and demanded deployment of mobile teachers besides improvement in road connectivity and street lighting.
The Minister assured the residents that their demands would be taken up with the concerned departments on priority and directed officers to ensure timely redressal of grievances through a proper follow-up mechanism.
Javed Rana also reviewed the progress of ongoing developmental works in Mendhar and adjoining areas and assessed the pace and quality of execution across various departments.
He instructed the concerned officers to ensure completion of projects within stipulated timelines and said there should be no compromise on quality standards.
“Public money must translate into durable and tangible outcomes for the people,” the Minister said.
The Minister also reviewed the functioning of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), which have been introduced to provide diagnostic and primary healthcare services in remote and tribal areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
He stressed that tribal communities and nomadic populations living in far-flung areas should receive essential medical facilities and quality healthcare services at their doorsteps without inconvenience.
The Minister said the MMU initiative reflects the government’s commitment towards inclusive healthcare and strengthening healthcare services in geographically challenging and socio-economically disadvantaged regions.
Interacting with the public, Javed Rana reiterated that the government is committed to strengthening public service delivery and ensuring that welfare and developmental schemes reach every deserving household across Jammu and Kashmir.
“The resolve of the present administration is to ensure that development reaches every household, no matter how remote. Our focus is on improving the everyday lives of people by ensuring reliable drinking water, better irrigation facilities, enhanced connectivity and all other essential services required for holistic development of far-flung areas,” he said.
Senior officers of concerned departments, local representatives and residents from Mendhar and adjoining areas attended the programme.
