SHOPIAN, January,12 : The Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education,Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah today chaired a Public Darbar at Shopian under the UT government’s public outreach program, in order to interact with the public and assess the public grievances, welfare and development issues.Delegations including DD/BD Council, MC Councillors, fruit growers,traders, tribal leaders,activists, civil society members, youth, other groups besides the public projected various welfare, empowerment and development issues and demands of their respective areas. These delegations raised various issues which inter alia included Establishment of Press Club, augmentation of hostel and accommodation facilities at GDC Shopian, introduction of new subjects at Higher Secondary level, provision of adequate supply of water, revision of Master Plan of Shopian Town, development of Municipal Park at Shopian, augmentation of power transmission and distribution system, and library services at District Library, promotion of Tourism spots including scenic and cultural sites on Mughal Road, immediate completion of Indoor Stadium,playfields construction of Mughal Road Tunnel, upgradation of facilities at Fruit Mandi etc.Besides, issues and demands pertaining to the health department, flagged by locals included Establishment of Maternity Hospital, filling of vacant posts at DH and other centres, betterment of healthcare facilities, including provision of better equipment and accomodation at DH Shopian, establishment of GMC or Nursing College, availability of consultants at SDH Zainapora, technical staff at diagnostic units at Zainapora, Hermain DK Pora, Drug de- addiction & rehabilitation services, upgradation of NTPHC Ramnagri and other issues. Locals on the occasion, thanked the administration for installing the CT Scan at DH which has eased out problems of the district.The youth representatives appreciated the ambitious outreach program where people come together to interact with senior officers and deliberate on welfare and development concerns.The Secretary, at the outset thanked the people for coming in large numbers and expressed happiness over the issues flagged by them and assured them about the prompt redressal of issues.After listening to issues, he directed the concerned to note all issues, grievances and demands and follow up vigorously for redressal of grievances and fruition of demands. He sought timely resolution of all public welfare issues including those requiring inter- departmental coordination. Dr. Abid called upon officers and officials to focus on issues raised and formal redressal mechanisms were put in place so that redressal of all issues is done as per requirement and norms He directed Director Health and CMO Shopian to address the health sector demands and augment healthcare facilities, and make adequate provision of staff across the health centres of the district.Secretary also sought better public engagement and cooperation in making the district, a model of all round development, emphasising upon officers to take extra efforts for providing relief to the people. Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb apprised the Secretary of the measures being taken up by the district administration for public welfare.Director Health, Dr.Mushtaq Ahmad, SSP, Tanushree, ADDC, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, ADC, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz, besides other district and sectoral officers were present on the occasion. Besides, DDC and BDC members, a large number of public also attended the event.