Srinagar: Terming bribery as a scourge, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said that ‘stray’ complaint of corruption or sub standard work has a telling effect on the image of Rural Development Department even as it was “doing a lot for changing the rural landscape” in the State.
“You are doing a lot for changing the rural landscape in the State. But a stray complaint of corruption or sub standard work has a telling effect on the image of your Department”, she told the officers and employees of the department at function after inaugurating 159 assets of the RDD.
“History is witness that corruption has never done any good to the person indulging in it but put him in despair in the long run,” she said.
On the contrary, she said, the people doing their jobs with sincerity, selflessly and dedicatedly make not only the concerned people happy but also the Almighty. “In the process they are earning huge goodwill for themselves and their progeny for times to come,” she said.
Mehbboba asked the RPDD to undertake conservation, cleaning and restoration of water sources in villages like streams, ponds and wells. The Chief Minister also asked the Department to take other steps to restore the rural ecology besides their routine job of development.
She flagged the need for preserving rural assets and ecology in its most pristine and original form. Mehbooba said our rural areas were once considered rich sources of clean drinking water but now with increased pollution these sources have depleted to very low levels.
She advised the Department to dovetail its restoration efforts with the local public representatives to take it in a mission mode.
Mehbooba also complimented the Department for running such “successful” schemes like MGNREGA and raising quality assets.
She asked for proper upkeep and maintenance of these assets so as to enjoy their benefits for a longer period.
Terming Rural Development Department as most closely linked institution with people, she asked the officers to work with dedication and honesty to deliver services to people.
In all, the Chief Minister inaugurated 159 assets of the Department today valuing Rs. 30.85 crore. These assets include Panchayat Ghars, common facility centres, culverts, bridges, roads, pavements, ponds, parks, toilets etc. The assets inaugurated today include 21 assets in Anantnag, 12 in ganderbal, 26 in Baramulla, 12 in Pulwama, five in Shopian, four in Kulgam, 30 in Kupwara, eight in Bandipore, 21 in Budgam, seven in Leh and 13 in Kargil district.
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