Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today asked the Ministers not to work for the welfare of particular region only. She directed the Ministers to reach out to the people of all parts of state.

 Mehbooba made these directions after chairing the meeting of the council of Ministers, soon after the opening of civil secretariat, here today. Senior PDP leader and Roads and Buildings Minister, Nayeem Akhtar, had earlier raised a controversy as he asked the Health Minister, Bali Bagat, during a function in Jammu, that he must not attend to the grievances of the people of Jammu region only.

Bagat had come under a scathing attack as he had not even paid a single visit to SMHS hospital, where the youth who were injured in the incidents of stone pelting were injured.

“Ministers should work holistically for the welfare of the state and not limit themselves to some particular areas or regions,” Mehbooba told the meeting.

Chief Minister asked the Ministers to undertake visits to areas to resolve the issues of people and mobilize local administration at the grassroots level. She said the challenge lies in “how effectively and efficiently governance is rendered to the people in a cost and time effective manner.”

She asked all the Ministers to work in a team spirit and take the governance delivery as a challenge.  The meeting took a comprehensive review of the law and order and development scenario in the State. Earlier on her arrival at the Civil Secretariat this morning, the Chief Minister was given a ceremonial reception by a contingent of J&K Police.

Members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Administrative Secretaries and a large number of employees of the Civil Secretariat accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Minister on her arrival.

Chief Minister also asked the officers to be more responsive to the needs of the people of the state and directed them to undertake frequent field visits to assess the people’s problems and demands.

Chairing a meeting of Administrative Secretaries after the opening of Civil Secretariat here today, the Chief Minister asked the officers to reach out to people, particularly in areas which are distant and resolve their issues on the spot.

She asked the officers to make field visits a part of their routine. She reminded the officers that people have been extremely receptive to administration whenever it has responded to their problems positively, responsibly and responsively.

Terming housing, power, PHE, education and health as critical sectors to reach out to people, Chief Minister asked the Administrative Secretaries to utilize their expertise to render efficient service delivery to people in these sectors at their doorsteps. She specifically directed for undertaking regular and periodic supervision of centrally sponsored schemes in the state and their proper and meaningful execution.

 Mehbooba Mufti expressed dismay over the reports of erratic power supply to people. She directed regulation of power supply to consumers in view of the coming month of holy Ramadan. She also asked for regulation of power supply in Jammu in view of the summer months.

 Chief Minister also expressed her displeasure over piling of garbage at many places in Srinagar city and towns and directed immediate lifting and disposal of the same with regularity. She directed the concerned departments to make all the street lights functional in major towns of the Valley on priority and also address the sanitation requirements there.

 Mehbooba Mufti directed the Industries department to speed up its activities by encouraging young entrepreneurs in setting up their units. She also directed the Education Department to ensure that adequate facilities of curricular and co-curricular activities are provided to students at their campuses besides augmenting sports facilities. She also directed the Agriculture Production Department to monitor proper and efficient execution of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna in the State besides ensuring timely and adequate supply of seed, pesticides and fungicides to farmers. She reiterated her previous direction that PSA be slapped on the traders found selling spurious pesticides and other substandard plant material.

Chief Minister also directed the Floriculture Department to ensure that all the Parks and gardens are well maintained and properly kept so that people can use them whenever they are free.

 Mehbooba Mufti asked the Chief Secretary to get the issue of recapitalization of Central Cooperative Banks of Anantnag, Baramulla and Jammu resolved at the earliest. She also directed completion of all accessory works at the Tangnar Water Supply Scheme so that the same is thrown open at the earliest.

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