National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today exhorted the elected representatives of the grass-roots level democratic institutions to work towards development of their areas, as per aspirations of the people with focus on upgrading utility services and improving infrastructural facilities.

 “Each area has its distinct development needs and priorities for various services and it is incumbent upon the elected representatives to draw up the roadmap for development by making the people stakeholders and ensuring their participation in execution of projects and schemes”, Mr Rana said while interacting with the Members of District Development Council District Ramban and other party leaders, who called on him here this afternoon.

 DDC Chairperson Dr Shamshad Shan, Vice Chairperson, Rabia Beig besides B.A. Runiyal, Jagbir Dass, Fayaz Naik Sheikh Bashir, Provincial Secretary Haji Sajjad Shaheen, District President National Conference, prominent leaders Abid Magrey, Arif Mir  and other DDC councillors were present.

 The Provincial President said the transformation on ground zero will be the parameter for the grass-root democratic institutions and this fact should not miss the attention of the councillors, who have been elected by their electors with hope and expectations. They must put in their best in meeting the aspirations of the people, he added.

 Mr Rana asked the members to step up mass contact with the public and ensure effective outreach in the far flung areas like Banihal, Pogal- Paristan, Chambalwas, Khari, Mahu Mangat, Neel, Thachi, Amkote, Chachal, Trigam, Ramsoo, Sumar, Sarbagni, Dardahi, Ukhral, Khari, Gool-Sangaldan, Batote, Rajgarh, Assar, Kastigarh, Dessa, Top Neel, Dhalwas, Sanasar and other remote pockets of the district.

The Councillors apprised the Provincial President about the functioning of the council and assured the party high command that they will work for the development and see that Ramban district becomes a model district.

 The members expressed concern over the indifferent approach of the administration in resolving the problems being faced by the landowners who have proprietary land within the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) and impressed upon the government to redress their genuine grievances like grant of permission to allow construction activity in the proprietary land.

 DDC Chairperson Dr Shamshad Shan said that development will get new impetus and hoped for closed synergy between various departments and agencies charged with the responsibility of upgrading utility services and improving facilities.

 Dr Shan said that the people have their peculiar aspirations and every effort is needed to be made to ensure basic minimum facilities to the people.

 Vice Chairperson Rabia Beig said the government has started collection of toll tax in Banihal which is exorbitant, saying they have been demanding reconsideration and review in the tax, as notified by the National Highway Authority.

 Rabia Beig expressed concern over the daily commuters being made to pay taxes on daily basis as they move across the tunnel for their duties and other day-to-day work.

 The Council members said that they have been also seeking exemption of toll tax for the commuters inhabiting within 20 kilometres of Banihal. Besides, they have been demanding jobs to one person of the family whose maximum land has come under NH 44.