Associated News Bureau

MP Ghulam Ali Khatana Reviews Public Grievances, Pushes for Accelerated Development in Banihal and Ramsoo

RAMBAN, June 2: Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament on Tuesday held a public outreach programme in Banihal to review developmental issues and address public grievances raised by residents from various areas of the Banihal and Ramsoo subdivisions. The programme witnessed participation from a large number of residents representing different Panchayats, the Municipal Committee Banihal, and adjoining areas, who highlighted a range of civic, developmental, educational, healthcare, and infrastructure-related concerns. Addressing the gathering, Khatana emphasized the importance of transparent, proactive, and people-centric governance, particularly in remote and underserved regions of Ramban district. He urged government officers to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes and facilitate timely delivery of benefits to deserving beneficiaries. The MP assured the public of full support from the Union Government in addressing genuine grievances and expediting developmental initiatives. He stressed the need to identify and remove bottlenecks affecting major infrastructure projects to ensure their timely completion. Among the key issues raised during the programme were the completion of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects, shortage of teaching staff in schools, upgradation of educational institutions, improvement of road connectivity, provision of ambulance services for Khari and Mangit, deployment of doctors in health centres, strengthening healthcare facilities, development of tourism infrastructure in Neel, establishment of degree colleges in Khari and Pogal-Paristan, release of pending PMAY payments, repair of Panchayat Ghar Chamalwas, and expediting Mission YUVA loan applications. Khatana directed the concerned departments to address public grievances in a time-bound manner and sought immediate responses from officials present at the programme. He also instructed the Health Department to ensure rotational deployment of doctors in remote and underserved areas to improve access to healthcare services. Highlighting the importance of youth empowerment, the MP underscored the need for employment generation and directed officials to intensify awareness campaigns regarding self-employment and livelihood schemes. He also expressed concern over the growing menace of drug abuse and called for coordinated efforts to safeguard youth from substance addiction. The programme was attended by SDM Mohammad Naseeb Bajraan, ACD Sheraz Ahmad, CMO Dr. Kamal Zadoo, Executive Engineers of PMGSY, PWD, PDD and Jal Shakti departments, SDPO, Tehsildar, and other district officers and officials. ANB