Associated News Bureau

Satish Sharma Reviews Transport, Food Supply and IT Issues, Assures Action on Public Grievances

Srinagar, October 14: Minister for Transport-related matters, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FS&CA), Information Technology (IT), Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, on Wednesday reviewed key departmental issues with senior officers and met deputations from Ganderbal and a human rights organisation to discuss public grievances and other concerns. During a meeting with Commissioner/Secretary, Transport, R. Alice Vaz, the Minister reviewed the vehicle scrappage policy, ease of doing business, revenue generation through departmental assets, operationalisation of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) at Pampore and Nagrota, pending subsidy cases and concerns raised by various transport associations. The Minister also discussed reports of buses stranded in Delhi while awaiting delivery from the Government of India. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts with the concerned authorities to resolve the matter at the earliest. Emphasising the importance of addressing transporters' genuine concerns, Sharma called for expediting pending cases and streamlining departmental procedures to improve efficiency and public service delivery. Subsequently, the Minister met Commissioner/Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Saurabh Bhagat, to review departmental functioning and matters concerning the effective delivery of essential services. He underscored the need for timely resolution of pending issues and sustained efforts to ensure efficient public service delivery. During his meeting with Commissioner and Secretary, Information Technology, Rahul Yadav, Sharma held detailed discussions on departmental priorities, the implementation of IT initiatives and measures to strengthen digital governance. The Minister stressed effective coordination among the concerned authorities, timely implementation of departmental programmes and a result-oriented approach to resolving issues requiring administrative intervention. Later, a deputation from Ganderbal district, led by Sheikh Javaid, met the Minister and apprised him of various public grievances and development-related issues concerning the district. The delegation sought his intervention for their resolution. Sharma gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured its members that the issues raised would be examined and taken up with the concerned departments for appropriate action. Highlighting the importance of grassroots-level engagement, the Minister said regular interaction with people and their representatives was essential for identifying local concerns and ensuring responsive governance. In a separate meeting, a delegation of a human rights organisation, led by Abrar Lone, called on the Minister and discussed matters concerning the organisation and issues raised by its members. The Minister assured the delegation that the matters brought to his notice would be examined in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures, with appropriate follow-up wherever required. Sharma reiterated his commitment to maintaining regular engagement with public representatives, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to address genuine grievances and strengthen responsive governance across Jammu and Kashmir. ANB