PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan held an open kutcheri via video link for the people of Battagram district, during the second round of such forums to listen to people’s problems and ensure their resolution.

People from different parts of Battagram participated in the online forum and apprised the chief minister about their issues, according to a statement issued here on Friday.

The chief minister, on the occasion, issued directives to the quarters concerned for immediate steps to resolve the issues.

Additional chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, senior member Board of Revenue Zakir Hussain, administrative secretaries of departments concerned and others were present.

Holds open kutcheri for residents via video link

The divisional commissioner, the deputy commissioner and officials of line departments also attended the online kutcheri.

Speaking to the complainants, Mahmood Khan said holding of online forums was an effort of the provincial government to resolving the public issues.

He said separate open kutcheri would be held in each district.

The chief minister said during the last four years, a number of development projects worth Rs2 billion had been completed in Battagram, whereas work on various other projects worth Rs5.7 billion was in progress. He said various projects worth Rs1.5 billion would also be implemented under the district development plan.

Besides, he said Rs500 million had been allocated for acquisition of land for establishing campus of the University of Hazara in Battagram. He assured that the commitment made to the people regarding granting status of district to Allai tehsil would be honoured soon.

He said a cabinet committee had been constituted on creation of Zone 6 comprising certain districts of Hazara and Malakand divisions, and hopefully the new zone would be established within a month.

On the citizen’s complaint regarding launch of health card scheme in the District Headquarters Hospital, Battagram, the chief minister directed the health secretary to conduct inquiry and submit report within 21 days.

To another complaint regarding illegal cutting of trees in Allai, Mahmood Khan directed the secretary forest to submit an inquiry report within three weeks, and said elements involved in the illegal practice would be taken to task.

Similarly, he directed the deputy commissioner Battagram to immediately launch a cleanliness drive in the urban areas of the district.

To a complaint regarding alleged corruption in government contracts, Mahmood Khan directed the commissioner Hazara to inquire into the matter and submit a report within 21 days.

On complaints regarding shortage of teaching staff in certain government schools, the chief minister directed the secretary education to ensure recruitment of teachers in those schools.

He also directed the authorities concerned to submit inquiry report regarding alleged violation of merit in recruitments in the prison department.

On people’s demand for upgrading the health units in certain areas of the district, the chief minister directed the health department to visit the proposed areas and submit feasibility report in that regard.

The chief minister announced establishment of a public library in Battagram and a girls middle school in Paimal Sharif union council.

He ordered the public health engineering department to install tubewells or launch gravity water supply schemes in the areas facing water shortage.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2022