Div Com directs project authorities of PakalDul & Kiru HEP to chalk out a comprehensive plan for PAFs/locals

Kishtwar, JANUARY 31: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer and Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Mukesh Singh who are on two day tour to district Kishtwar today reviewed the implementation of the Area Development Plan under approved Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan by the Hydro Power Project Construction agencies, here at a meeting.

The Div Com also listened to the grievances of Project Affected People and issued directions to the district administration for time bound redress of the same.

Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma; Additional District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Sham Lal; Additional Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Kishori Lal Sharma; Chief Engineer PWD Manzoor Hussain; Chief Engineer JPDCL, A K Sachdev; SSP Kishtwar besides district officers and project construction authorities attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the Div Com reviewed component wise physical and financial status of the developmental works projected under the Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan.

The Div Com inquired about the construction of Hospital Building amounting to Rs 353.25 lakhs at Suid Dachhan for which the funds has been released, construction of 2 passenger sheds, a Community Hall at Kwar Tangi and construction of Dachhan house at Kishtwar, besides construction of Community Halls at Soundar and Panjdhara undertaken by PWD, shifting and realignment of 11KV line and construction of receiving station and up-gradation of infrastructure for PAFs, remodeling of Soundar Kuhl and Nagra Kuhl etc.

Besides, provision of the drinking water supply facilities to PAFs of Kwar Tangi and Additional water lifting irrigation facility at Kishtwar, construction of veterinary Dispensary at Kwar Tangi and Dachhan; construction of Dipping vats at Dachhan and Kwartangi, construction of Common Demonstration centre, construction of the playgrounds at GHSS Soundar and Yaywag Sirchi Dachhan was also reviewed in the meeting.

The concerned executing authorities were asked to submit the DPR of proposed projects and identify suitable land for the same, besides expedite the pace of progress to complete the work in a time bound manner.

The Div Com also stressed for the revising of plan, if need arises.

Later, the Div com along with ADGP interacted with the members of political parties, civil society, media persons and DDC members and listened to their grievances in presence of the officers of District Administration.

The delegation of civil society and political parties apprised the ADGP Div Com about the various issues of public importance. They demanded retrieval and demarcation of the encroached state land, compensation to the owners for the land acquired by NHIDCL for roads, improvement of drainage system in the Kishtwar Township, construction of drainage along the National highway at Wasser and Kuleed, shifting of wine shop from Highway, early completion of road to Dachhan, up-gradation of education, health and road infrastructure in far flung areas.

The Div Com gave a patient hearing and assured them that all the genuine demands will be conceded in a time bound manner and issued necessary directions to concerned officers.

Meanwhile, DDC Chairperson Kishtwar, Pooja Thakur, along with DDC Vice Chairperson Saima Shabir Lone and other DDC members also met the visiting officers and highlighted the grievance of their respective areas.

The DDC chairperson laid special thrust on the employment of left out locals, including the project affected families in the Hydro Power Projects.

She also laid stress on the adherence to the minimum wage Act by the project construction companies, transparency in the employment in these projects and Air services to the Marwah and Warwan areas throughout the year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Div com Jammu said that the Hydro electric power Projects have opened job avenues and opportunity for skill up-gradation for the local youth.

He directed the concerned Authorities to host skill development Programme on a mass mode basis in collaboration with the HEP authorities and outsourcing agencies to serve both the short term and long term need of skilled youth for employment in ongoing HEPs.

The Div Com further urged the district administration and the project authorities to work together to chalk out a comprehensive Employment generation plan for the maximum number of local youth in these HEPs.

During an interaction with the delegation of the media persons, the issue of the establishment of a press club was raised and the Div Com assured to meet the demand in a stipulated time frame.