Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited the Bassali area of Doongi block in the border district of Rajouri where he convened an extensive public outreach programme.

The high profile visit was aimed to assess and address the grassroots concerns, ensuring equitable development in remote and border regions.

The tribal residents put forth a range of demands rooted in their lived realities. These included the urgent need for additional border bunkers to ensure safety, upgradation of Government Middle School Bassali, measures to tackle persistent water scarcity and availability of ambulance services in emergencies.

They also highlighted the delays caused by forest clearance issues, which often stall vital development works in tribal-dominated forest zones.

The tribal residents presented their demands and pressing concerns, including safety, infrastructure and development hurdles. The key issues included construction of additional border bunkers, upgradation of Government Middle School Bassali, water scarcity and provision of emergency ambulance services. They also underscored the impact of delayed forest clearances on development projects in tribal forest zones.

Other demands included granting tehsil status to Doongi, repair and upgradation of  the border roads, establishment of veterinary centre and a girls’ hostel, expeditious completion of works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, upgradation of Sub Centre Bassali to full-fledged Primary Health Centre, construction of the Thatyali–Challas road and tapping the tourism potential of the area, creation of a “Van Nagar” in Doongi block and better public transport connectivity through JKSRTC bus services, which remain sparse in these remote belts.

The Minister listened patiently to the concerns of the locals, many of which echoed the daily struggles of life in remote areas, access to clean drinking water, erratic power supply, fragile road connectivity and gaps in healthcare and education services.

The Minister acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the tribal populations residing along the LoC and assured that all their genuine grievances would be addressed on priority.

The Minister listened attentively to the locals' concerns, which reflected the harsh realities of life in remote areas: scarce clean water, unreliable power, fragile roads and gaps in healthcare and education.

Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by the tribal populations along the LoC, the Minister assured priority attention to their genuine grievances.

Addressing the gathering, Javed Ahmed Rana emphasized that governance must reach the most marginalized, particularly in tribal and border areas. He assured prompt action on the issues raised and encouraged the community to leverage government welfare schemes, stressing that awareness and participation drive change in the society.

The Minister, highlighting the region's natural strengths, instructed the Horticulture and Animal Husbandry officials to craft customized development plans. He noted the area's potential for horticulture, livestock rearing and allied activities, which could boost incomes and preserve traditional tribal livelihoods.

Earlier, the departmental officers briefed the gathering about various welfare schemes, urging the people to avail benefits ranging from livelihood support to infrastructure development.

Among others, MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed, MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, ADDC Rajouri Malik Zada Sheraz Ul Haq, senior officers from Jal Shakti Department, Tribal Affairs Department, Forest Department and district administration were present on the occasion.