Negi Directs Officials to Resolve Public Grievances, Complete Essential Works Before Snowfall.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development and Public Grievances Redressal Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday directed officials to resolve pending public grievances within stipulated timelines and complete essential development works before snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti.
The directions were issued during a public grievance redressal programme organised at the Old Circuit House in Keylong under the state government’s Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar initiative. MLA Anuradha Rana, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions, departmental officials and local residents attended the programme.
Residents raised issues related to roads, drinking water, revenue matters, rural development, forest rights and telecommunications. Negi instructed officials to address complaints on priority and expedite pending land partition and demarcation cases.
Road and Water Supply Issues Reviewed
Reviewing problems in the Udaipur area, the minister discussed drinking water facilities in Shakoli, sewage management and garbage disposal in Trilokinath, bus and taxi stand facilities, and the progress of road construction and repair works.
He directed officials to complete the tarring work from Zero Point to Shakoli and repair the Nalda road at the earliest. The construction of a temporary suspension bridge at Jasrath was ordered to be completed by December.
The issue concerning access to the panchayat building at Thirot was resolved on the spot. Officials were also directed to submit a report within a week on a pending land partition case.
Taking note of complaints regarding Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works and attendance records in Salgran, Negi instructed the Block Development Officer (BDO) to initiate appropriate action against the concerned panchayat secretary and gram rozgar sevak.
The minister also directed officials to address Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network problems in Muring-Nainagahar, Chimret and Tingret. He stressed the need to improve drinking water supply and garbage management in Upper Keylong.
Essential Services to Be Strengthened Before Winter
Emphasising the challenges posed by snowfall in the tribal district, Negi directed all departments to ensure that essential infrastructure and public services were in proper condition before the onset of winter.
He stressed that pending works should be completed in time to minimise inconvenience to residents when snowfall affects road connectivity and access to basic facilities.
During the programme, the minister inspected exhibitions organised by various departments and distributed off-grid solar panels with capacities of one and two kilowatts to 10 schools.
Focus on Forest Rights Act Implementation
Negi emphasised the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and directed the concerned authorities to constitute the required committees, hold regular meetings and prioritise pending cases.
He said state-level and district-level committees would meet regularly to review FRA-related work and ensure the timely disposal of cases.
The minister also urged Panchayati Raj representatives to focus on education, sports, horticulture and tourism to promote development in rural and tribal areas.
MLA Anuradha Rana stressed the need to establish libraries and digital libraries at the panchayat level to improve educational facilities for students, particularly in remote areas. She also informed the gathering that the issue concerning the reopening of Shakoli primary school had been resolved on the spot.
Describing the Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar programme as an important platform for direct public engagement, Rana said it enables officials and elected representatives to reach people in their localities and address their concerns.
At the conclusion of the programme, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate assured residents that the grievances received would be forwarded to the concerned departments and necessary action taken within the stipulated timeframe.
