A review meeting regarding various development schemes and public welfare initiatives being implemented within the Chaubattakhal Assembly constituency was held on Tuesday at the Vikas Bhawan Auditorium in Pauri, under the chairmanship of Cabinet Minister and local MLA, Satpal Maharaj. District Magistrate Swati S. Bhadauria and Chief Development Officer Ashok Joshi welcomed the Cabinet Minister and formally commenced the meeting.
He emphasized that officials must conduct regular field visits to rural areas to listen to the people’s grievances and ensure their prompt resolution. Since public issues reach the administration and government machinery primarily through elected representatives, matters raised by these representatives must be addressed on a priority basis; this ensures that residents of remote regions also receive the benefits of various schemes and development works in a timely manner.
During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted regarding various motor roads and roads currently under construction that fall under the purview of the Public Works Department (PWD). While inquiring about the progress of road construction, improvement, and blacktopping works, the Cabinet Minister issued directives to ensure both quality and adherence to timelines. He remarked that in hilly regions, roads serve not merely as a means of transportation but act as lifelines for the general public—particularly for patients, pregnant women, and during emergency situations. Therefore, providing improved road connectivity to remote villages remains a top priority for the administration.
He directed the Transport Department to expedite the approval process by conducting swift surveys of motor roads and completing all necessary formalities, thereby ensuring that pending road projects can be implemented on the ground in a timely fashion.
During the meeting, the District Magistrate issued instructions to take immediate action regarding pending matters related to the Forest Department. She directed officials from both the Forest Department and the PWD to conduct joint inspections to resolve these issues expeditiously and to submit inspection proposals for all pending cases by May 30. The meeting also included a review of 12 specific cases—pertaining to works sanctioned under the State Sector in 2017 or earlier—where objections had been raised by either the Forest Department or local villagers; directives were issued to resolve all such objections.
It was reported during the meeting that out of the 16 works sanctioned under Stage-II, 8 have been completed, while 6 are currently in progress, and 2 works have not yet commenced. Out of the 40 asphalt-paving projects sanctioned since 2022, 35 have been completed, 4 are currently in progress, and the contracting process for one project is underway. Satisfaction was expressed regarding the progress of compensation distribution activities. Additionally, a review was conducted of 19 projects related to one-time maintenance, as well as 29 projects pertaining to disaster relief and special repairs.
The Cabinet Minister directed the concerned departmental officials to ensure the completion of motor roads currently under construction—along with other development projects—before the onset of the monsoon season, thereby preventing the general public from facing any difficulties regarding commuting or accessing other essential services.
During the meeting, a detailed review was also conducted of the Drinking Water, Rural Works, Water Corporation, Education, Health, Minor Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Child Development, Youth Welfare, and Social Welfare departments. During the review of the Health Department, it was observed that at the Community Health Center in Satpuli, 7 personnel were currently serving against the 10 sanctioned posts, while 3 posts remained vacant. In response, the Cabinet Minister issued directives to provide a list of personnel currently posted at regional health centers.
He directed the Electricity Department to ensure that no sagging power lines, damaged poles, or leaning electric posts remain anywhere within the region. He emphasized that swift action must be taken in such instances to ensure public safety. Directives were also issued to the Tourism Department to inspect the ongoing work at the Angling Hut located in Satpuli, and to the Irrigation Department to complete the construction of the Satpuli Inspection Bungalow within the next three months. The meeting was attended by officials and employees from various departments, including former District Panchayat Chairperson Shanti Devi, BJP District President Kamal Kishore Rawat, Project Director (DRDA) Vivek Kumar Upadhyay, District Development Officer Manvinder Kaur, Superintending Engineer (PWD) Mahipal Singh Rawat, Executive Engineer (Jal Sansthan) Praveen Saini, Mohammad Misham (Jal Nigam), RTO Vimal Pandey, DSTO Ram Salone, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Vishal Sharma, District Programme Officer Devendra Thapliyal, District Horticulture Officer Manoranjan Bhandari, Executive Engineer (Rural Works Department) Vinod Kumar Joshi, Abhinav Rawat (Electricity Department), AMA (District Panchayat) Bhavna Rawat, Chief Agriculture Officer Ritu Kukreti, District Social Welfare Officer Rohit Dubadiya, District Education Officer (Basic) Anshul Bisht, District Ayurveda and Unani Officer Dr. Shailendra Pandey, SDO (Forest) Ayesha Bisht, and District Fisheries Officer Abhishek Mishra.
