SRINAGAR, AUGUST 13: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FS&CA), Information Technology (IT), Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, today met several delegations at Srinagar and had detailed feedback on a wide range of issues concerning the public service delivery and departmental functioning across Kashmir.
During the interaction, various delegations apprised the Minister of issues pertaining to Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, transport connectivity, sports infrastructure and promotion of sporting activities in different areas of Kashmir. The representatives highlighted their local requirements and sought the Minister’s intervention for addressing the issues affecting the people in their respective areas.
Several delegations projected issues related to availability, distribution and supply of essential commodities besides matters concerning the functioning of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department.
The Minister sought details regarding the concerns raised and emphasised the importance of ensuring regular and adequate availability of essential commodities, particularly in areas where people may face logistical or geographical challenges. He directed that genuine public grievances be examined at the appropriate level and stressed that the delivery mechanism should remain responsive, transparent and people-centric.
The delegations also raised issues related to public transport services and connectivity to different areas of Kashmir, including the need for strengthening existing services and addressing gaps in connectivity.
Satish Sharma emphasised that an efficient public transport network is critical for students, employees, traders, patients and the general public, particularly in areas where the people have limited alternatives. He called for assessment of the existing transport requirements and stressed the need for better route planning, rational deployment of available resources and strengthening of services wherever necessary.
The Minister maintained that transport services should be aligned with the actual requirements of the people and that areas facing inadequate connectivity should receive due attention.
Sports infrastructure and facilities discussed issues concerning the sports infrastructure, availability of playing facilities and promotion of sports activities were also projected before the Minister.
Satish Sharma stressed that sports infrastructure should not remain confined to major urban centres and that adequate opportunities and facilities should be made available to young people across different districts and rural areas as well. He underscored the importance of developing sporting talent at the grassroots level and strengthening the existing facilities so that young athletes can access proper training and competition opportunities closer to their homes.
The Minister also met a deputation of representatives associated with Common Service Centres (CSCs), who projected various issues concerning the service conditions and functioning of CSC units.
The deputation apprised the Minister of the challenges being faced by CSC operators and sought appropriate intervention for addressing their concerns.
The Minister acknowledged the importance of CSCs in facilitating last-mile delivery of digital and citizen-centric services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
He assured the deputation that the issues raised by them would be examined in consultation with the concerned authorities and that all their genuine concerns would be considered within the applicable rules, policies and administrative framework.
