JAMMU, Nov 2: Apni Party District President, Jammu Urban, Abhay Bakaya, has expressed concern over delays in the implementation of government welfare schemes and the difficulties faced by deserving beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
Bakaya chaired a public meeting in Ward No. 71 to take stock of the problems and grievances confronting local residents.
During the interaction, residents highlighted several issues related to delayed delivery of government welfare benefits and inadequate civic amenities. They alleged that despite repeated announcements and assurances, many deserving families continue to struggle to access essential benefits.
One of the major concerns raised during the meeting was the delay in ration card bifurcation, inclusion of eligible family members and correction of ration card records.
Residents expressed resentment over procedural hurdles and administrative delays that have prevented several eligible families from receiving their entitled ration benefits.
Addressing the gathering, Bakaya said that food security is a fundamental necessity and no deserving family should be forced to make repeated visits to government offices to avail benefits under essential welfare schemes.
He urged the concerned department to simplify procedures, clear pending applications and ensure that all eligible households are covered without further delay.
The difficulties faced by widows, elderly citizens and economically weaker sections also figured prominently during the meeting. Residents informed Bakaya about pending applications, delayed approvals and difficulties in accessing widow and old-age pension benefits.
Bakaya said that pension schemes are not merely government welfare initiatives but an important source of financial security and dignity for vulnerable sections of society.
He called upon the administration to conduct a special verification and clearance drive to identify pending cases and ensure timely disbursement of pensions to all eligible beneficiaries.
Residents also raised several civic issues, particularly inadequate drinking water supply and poor road connectivity in the area.
Bakaya stressed that access to clean drinking water, properly maintained roads and other essential civic facilities are basic responsibilities of the administration and should not be treated as privileges.
Expressing disappointment over the situation, he said that despite repeated claims of development and welfare-oriented governance, people continue to struggle for basic necessities that should be available to every household.
Criticising the gap between government announcements and their actual implementation, Bakaya said that the performance of any government should be assessed by the tangible benefits reaching ordinary citizens rather than the number of schemes announced or publicity campaigns undertaken.
He emphasised the need for greater administrative accountability and regular field inspections by officials to understand people’s problems firsthand.
He urged the concerned departments to adopt a public-friendly approach and resolve genuine grievances within a fixed timeframe instead of allowing applications to remain pending in official files.
Assuring residents of his continued support, Bakaya said that Apni Party would take up their concerns with the concerned authorities and pursue them until concrete action was taken.
He appealed to the administration to take immediate cognisance of the issues raised during the meeting and formulate a time-bound action plan to resolve ration card-related problems, clear pending pension cases, improve drinking water supply and restore proper road connectivity.
“Government welfare schemes must reach the people who genuinely need them. People cannot be left waiting indefinitely for their basic entitlements while welfare initiatives remain confined to official announcements and paperwork. Accountability, transparency and effective implementation at the grassroots level must be the government’s priority,” Bakaya asserted.
The meeting was attended by Booth In-charges Kamlesh Devi, Sushma Devi, Bano Begum, Mohammad Latif and several other local residents.