Public Darbar: Commissioner Secretary Dr. Rashmi Singh addresses grievances and highlights Cultural Initiatives

Public Darbar: Commissioner Secretary Dr. Rashmi Singh addresses grievances and highlights Cultural Initiatives

Kathua, February 22: Commissioner Secretary Hospitality & Protocol Department, Dr. Rashmi Singh, presided over a Public Darbar at the Town Hall today, where she listened to the grievances besides issues of public importance.

Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Dr. Rakesh Minhas, ADDC Kathua, Ankur Mahajan, and representatives of various delegations were present on the occasion.

The Public Darbar saw an overwhelming response from all sections of society, with people apprising Commissioner Secretary Dr. Rashmi Singh about the issues faced by locals and seeking intervention to address grievances at higher levels.

Dr. Rashmi Singh emphasized that development is a time-consuming process and that public representatives and administrative machinery play a crucial role in prioritizing public works. She directed district officers to resolve the issues highlighted by attendees on a priority basis.

Dr. Rashmi Singh called upon stakeholder departments to adopt meticulous planning, which is crucial for the better execution of planned work.

Highlighting a major initiative taken up by the Hospitality and Protocol Department to promote the cultural profile of the JK UT, Dr. Rashmi Singh mentioned that JK Utsav is being organized in New Delhi to showcase the varied cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, including Basohli paintings and Pashmina work, to give artisans a platform and encouragement.

Earlier, DDC members from Marheen and Parole also raised issues concerning their respective areas, such as providing free electricity to BPL families and farmers in border areas, early initiation of protection work for flash flood-prone areas near Tarnah Nallah, and approval for utilizing CAPEX saving funds for developmental projects. DDC Nagri also demanded the availability of critical care ambulances in Nagri for the convenience of ailing patients and adequate measures like protection walls in flood-prone areas of Nagri constituency, which are vulnerable due to water rise in Ujh tributaries, especially during the monsoon.

The Commissioner Secretary also listened to the grievances of civil society and prominent citizens.

Dr. Rashmi Singh, while interacting with line departments, called for adopting a public-friendly approach in resolving issues of public importance by making optimum use of resources. She emphasized that the Public Darbar is a platform to obtain a first-hand appraisal from the grassroots level, reducing the communication gap between the public and the administration.