Minister reviews Pangi projects, warns of stern action over delays

Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development and Public Grievances Redressal Minister Jagat Singh Negi chaired a meeting of the Project Advisory Committee at Killar in the remote Pangi subdivision recently, reviewing progress of key development works in the region.

The meeting was attended by local MLA and committee vice-chairman Dr Janak Raj, departmental officers, and non-official members.

Negi directed officials to ensure timely and quality utilisation of allocated funds so that the benefits of development projects reach the public without delay.

Providing updates, the Minister said the Agriculture Department has so far spent Rs 25 lakh on solar fencing, benefitting 15 farmers in villages including Karyas and Sach. Additionally, 18 awareness camps have been organised under the Dharati Abha Programme.

He instructed the Ayurveda Department to ensure at least one healthcare worker is available in locations where doctors or pharmacists are unavailable, in order to avoid disruption of basic health services in remote areas.

The Horticulture Department was directed to coordinate with the Agriculture and Forest Departments to install protective barriers and conduct crop yield assessments to generate reliable data for future planning.

Stressing the importance of rural employment, Negi said every eligible person seeking work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) must be provided employment as per established norms.

To maintain momentum in infrastructure projects, he ordered cancellation of contracts for contractors causing unnecessary delays in the construction of panchayat buildings. Similarly, he instructed the Public Works Department to cancel contracts for any projects pending for over two years.

Taking serious note of absenteeism at Government Primary School Purthi — where only one out of five teachers was present during a recent inspection — Negi directed the Education Department to take strict disciplinary action to prevent such negligence in the future.

The Minister also instructed the Jal Shakti Department to expedite work on the water supply scheme for the Mindhal Mata Temple.

Further, he approved the sanctioning of an ambulance under the Local Area Development Authority (LADA) Fund and provision of essential firefighting equipment to the Fire Department.

The meeting proceedings were conducted by Sub-Divisional Officer and Project Officer (Integrated Tribal Development, Pangi), Raman Gharsangi, who assured the Minister of full compliance with all directions issued.