Kathua 28 October (Hindus). Member Legislative Assembly Kathua Dr. Bharat Bhushan chaired an introductory meeting with the district and regional officials of Kathua administration at the DC office premises.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Surinder Mohan, Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Ranjit Thakur, Superintending Engineer (SE) PWD (R&B), Chief Education Officer (CEO), various departments including PWD, Irrigation, Flood Control and PDD. XENs from the departments, as well as other officials representing various departments participated. CPO Kathua Ranjit Thakur gave detailed information on the development path of the district while outlining the progress in implementing government-led development and welfare schemes. He informed that 28 per cent of the current year's capex budget expenditure has been utilised, with the remaining projects being expedited after the recent assembly elections. The meeting focused on the status of projects funded under District Capital Expenditure, including District Development Council (DDC), Block Development Council (BDC), and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) grants.
Officials from departments like Public Health Engineering (PHE), Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Development Department (RDD), Irrigation, Flood Control, Handicrafts and Handlooms, District Industries Center (DIC), Employment, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Society Welfare, ICDS, DUDA and Health provided updates on various ongoing initiatives. The MLA stressed the need for a compassionate approach to addressing the issues of marginalized communities and ensuring that welfare schemes reach the most vulnerable residents. He urged the officials to extend the benefits of welfare programs to the people engaged in unorganized sectors by implementing labor and employment schemes.
Dr. Bhushan also advocated for furthering success in agriculture and allied sectors and suggested that the insights of progressive farmers should be shared to inspire greater participation in these sectors. He called for setting up such platforms where progressive farmers could inspire others to adopt innovative practices. Addressing sanitation concerns, Dr. Bhushan noted accumulation of garbage at specific locations within the Kathua Canal and Kathua city. He directed MC Kathua and the Irrigation Department to install warning signs along the canal to alert residents about the dangers of blocked waterways. Additionally he directed MC Kathua and XEN Irrigation to impose fine on persons caught dumping garbage in the canal and urged for development of a permanent sanitation system for Kathua city. Dr. Bhushan called upon the regional officials to work with dedication to fulfill the developmental goals of the district in line with the public aspirations.