Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, APR 10:
National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Wednesday expressed grave concern over undermining the time tested institutional mechanism of District Development Boards, saying the PDP-BJP dispensation has set a wrong precedence of diluting their efficacy.
“Governments come and governments go but the sanctity of institutions had to be maintained for the larger interest of the State and its people”, Mr Devender Singh Rana said while addressing Jammu DDB meeting here this morning.
Rana, who represents Nagrota Assembly Constituency in the Legislative Assembly, took strong exception to the absence of Ministers and Administrative Secretaries in the meeting, saying this speaks volumes about importance being attached by the government to the institution of District Development Board. Except for three ministers, two of them MLAs of the Jammu district and three administrative secretaries, others did not find it appropriate or worth their status to attend such meetings, he said and described the nonchalant attitude of the functionaries of the government, ministers included, and their arrogance as insult to the people of Jammu.
Rana highlighted the apathetic attitude of the coalition government, saying administration has failed in reaching out to the people. In this context, he referred to the lackadaisical and motivated approach of the government in implementation of the decision of the previous government with regard to administrative units and said the consequences were seen in parts of Rajouri district. The situation is similar in other areas, like Jandrah, which has been deprived of functional Tehsil office despite assurances in the Legislative Assembly and other forums. Such a response, he said, has alienated the people from the government, as they feel let down on all fronts. Rana sought renaming of Jammu IIT after the name of Mian Deedo and 40 per cent employment to locals in the support staff of IIT and IIM. He also urged the government to supplement the efforts of revival of heritage route to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, originating from Jagati, the DPR of which has been prepared by INTACH and submitted to Governor Mr N N Vohra, in his capacity as Chairman SMVDSB for promoting it as part of pilgrim tourism.
Rana also sought expeditious tendering process for 35mtr span motorable bridge at Urlani Pali approved under CRF, road from Jhajjar Kotli to Badsoo Passenger Shed (via Churta-Badsoo-Chadali-Dansal), Tada-Chilla 250 mtr span bridge and Tada-Chilla 250 mtr span bridge.
On the health services front, Mr Rana drew the attention of the Board towards DPR on New Public Health Centre at Surinsar and also raised the lack of infrastructural facilities and staff at PHC Nagrota like ambulance, Dental Surgeon , X-ray Plant and X-ray Technician . He wanted to know about the decision taken with regard to setting up of two health institutions on 3rd July, 2015.
He also sought implementation of the decision taken a decade ago with regard to Accidental Trauma Hospital in Manwal and Jhajjar Kotli on the National Highway and said the full-fledged 10 bedded Hospital of Power Grid Corporation in Krishanpur has not been made functional for want of staff.
