Speaker Rather interacts with public, reaffirms Govt’s commitment to devp

BUDGAM: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Sunday visited Arampora and Nambalhar areas of the Charar-e-Sharief Assembly Constituency, where he held an extensive public interaction with the local residents to listen to their grievances, developmental aspirations and suggestions for overall progress of the area. During his visit, the Speaker paid obeisance at the revered shrine of the renowned Sufi saint Hazrat Abdul Samad Mir (RA) at Nambalhar, where the annual Urs Mubarak is being observed. He offered prayers and paid rich tributes to the saint, praying for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity across Jammu and Kashmir. The Speaker addressed a huge gathering and interacted with the local residents at Arampora. During the interaction, the residents apprised the Speaker of several long-pending developmental issues requiring immediate attention. Prominent among their demands was construction of a bridge over Nallah Shaliganga to connect Tehsil Khansahib with Tehsil Chadoora. The people also highlighted the need for improved road connectivity, augmentation of drinking water supply, strengthening of power infrastructure and upgradation of other essential public amenities. The Speaker gave a patient hearing to every representation and assured the people that all their genuine demands would be taken up with the concerned departments for appropriate action. He said that developmental priorities would be pursued in a phased and planned manner, ensuring that projects of public importance receive due attention and are implemented without unnecessary delay. The Speaker emphasized that the bridge over Shaliganga would serve as a vital link, significantly improving the inter-tehsil connectivity, facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce to markets, reducing travel time and creating new economic opportunities for the farmers and traders. He said that the bridge would immensely benefit thousands of residents living on both sides of the nallah. The Speaker said that the present government is committed to ensure equitable and balanced development across Jammu and Kashmir, with special emphasis on strengthening infrastructure and improving the quality of life in rural and far-flung areas. He said that sustained efforts are being made to expand road connectivity, improve healthcare and educational facilities, augment drinking water supply, strengthen power infrastructure, and create durable public assets that directly benefit the people. He further said that development is the cornerstone of progress and can only be achieved through close coordination between the government and the people. He stressed that every developmental initiative is aimed at improving the public welfare, generating employment opportunities, boosting economic activity and creating better prospects for future generations. The Speaker urged the people not to pay any heed to rumours or misinformation, saying that such elements only obstruct the pace of development and create unnecessary confusion among the public. He appealed to the residents to remain united and extend their wholehearted cooperation in implementation of developmental programmes for the larger interest of the region. The Speaker said that public outreach and direct interaction with the people remain essential for understanding grassroots issues and ensuring that development is driven by the genuine needs and aspirations of the people. He assured the gathering that every sincere effort would be made to resolve their concerns in a transparent and time-bound manner.