MLA Ramgarh Raises Long-Pending Development Issues at Samba District Review Meeting

Samba: Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, MLA Ramgarh, on Tuesday raised several long-pending and critical development issues concerning the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency during a District Review Meeting held in Samba district. The meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.

Speaking on matters related to the Public Works Department (R&B), Dr. Manyal pointed out that the NABARD fund allocation for the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency is the lowest among all constituencies. He demanded enhanced funding to complete the religious circuit in Samba district, stating that it would promote religious tourism and generate local employment opportunities.

Highlighting the deteriorated condition of roads, Dr. Manyal said that several city and town roads were severely damaged due to floods and heavy rainfall and urgently require blacktopping. He also called for a dedicated pothole repair plan with adequate financial provisions to ensure road safety and restore connectivity.

Raising concerns over inequitable fund distribution, Dr. Manyal informed that out of 51 works proposed in Samba district, only six projects related to the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency were approved, that too with the lowest financial allocation. He termed this distribution unfair and urged authorities to ensure parity in development funding.

He cited major pending infrastructure projects, including the Rajpura–Sarthian Road and Bridge, which requires over ₹7 crore but has received only ₹75 lakh, and the Ghagwal–Rajpura Bridge, which requires ₹1.25 crore but has not received any allocation so far. He also demanded urgent repairs of roads leading to border and other sensitive areas and sought adequate funding for the culvert at Rangoor, where only ₹5 lakh has been sanctioned.

Dr. Manyal informed the meeting that a detailed list of development proposals under UT Capex has already been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Samba. These proposals include construction of an Office Complex, ITI, One Campus One Future School, Guest House, renovation of the Community Facilitation Centre (CFC) of Municipal Committee Ramgarh, new buildings for CHC Ramgarh and PHC Sanoora, construction of two new AAM buildings, and development of playfields and a sports complex.

Addressing agriculture-related issues, Dr. Manyal stated that during his recent visit to Jammu, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had directed the UT Government to forward the list of agriculture allottees to the Government of India. However, beneficiaries under Central Sponsored Schemes, including PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi), are still not receiving benefits, which requires immediate resolution.

Dr. Manyal added that the Hon’ble Chief Minister acknowledged key priorities such as introduction of e-bus services, development of sports infrastructure, playfields at Paloora, Sanoora and Pla Morh (Diani), and construction of a stadium at Shama Chak.

He submitted his demands in writing to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and Hon’ble Minister Satish Sharma, urging timely approvals and equitable development for the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency.