Angrez Singh Rana-An Administrator with a difference

KISHTWAR: From the last year each citizen of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir state is aware about the splendid working style of District Magistrate Kishtwar Shri Angrez Singh Rana who soon after holding this prestigious post of Kishtwar district created eco friendly relationship and cordial atmosphere among all communities across this highly sensitive district. 

A young , dynamic and honest KAS officer holding this prestigious post as District Magistrate Kishtwar in J&K state brought a sea change in the work culture while acting tough against the blemished officers/officials . He never let any erring government servant to go Scot free. he day when Sh Angrez Singh Rana joined his duties as District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar was one of the historic day when the people of Kishtwar started redeeming their tryst with destiny. 

Being an officer down to earth who took full fledged responsibilities as an administrator, never took any break and performed his duties relentlessly with utmost dedication and devotion. He immediately called a meeting of all officers/officials to create corruption free environment and impressed upon them to perform their duties with sincerity, honesty and dedication . He also asked general public to approach him personally so that their grievanve could be addressed in a time bound manner . He fixed deadlines to the officers to redress the grievance of the poor public and in case if any officer failed to comply timeline, he never hesitate to take stringent action against him.

n Kishtwar district , now every citizen is approaching District Administrative Head personally without any hitch for redressal of their grievances as District Magistrate is holding public darbars , grievance redressal camps , awareness programmes across whole district in length and breadth including  the  far-flung regions and bad pocket areas of the district. It was a historic day that during public darbar held at Bunjwah on 15th Sep 2018 , Angrez Singh Rana District Magistrate Kishtwar along with all district/ sectoral officers redressed the grievances raised by public of Bunjwah on spot which  happened for the first time  and visit of such upright and sincere officer in this remote region left an indelible impression in the minds of people of Bonjwah area regarding the honesty , pro poor approach and integrity of the District Magistrate.

Beside this , District Magistrate along with all other sectoral officers is regularly holding public darbars , Grievance Redressal camps at Block and Tehsil levels in all tehsils in Kishtwar district .  During these Redressal camps , District Magistrate Kishtwar released various funds for different developmental activities of these regions and asked general public for their co-operation towards creating corruption free environment in Kishtwar. 

It is a matter of great pride for the people of Kishtwar to say that District Magistrate Sh Angrez Singh Rana largely succeeded in eradicating the corrupt practices used to be practised in Govt offices  before his joining and as of now every government employee working in this district think thousand times before indulging in any misdeed,  it is all because of staunch and able administration of Sh Angrez Singh Rana. 

During the tenure of Angrez Singh Rana from Sep 2017 no untoward incident of any communal frenzy happened. He strictly enforced law and order and handled the grim situation arisen after the killing of Parihar brothers in the district in an efficacious manner. In a simple interactive talk of Special Correspondent with Sh Angrez Singh Rana, the Officer said that Kishtwar is a town of Sufis and saints who worked together for  maintaining brotherhood and amity among all communities despite of the fact that bad elements tried to create fissures/hate among Hindu and Muslim community, but it was due to the blessings of these sacred souls that fundamentalist evil people could not succeed in their nefarious designs. 

Kishtwar the land of saffron, sapphire and shrines was an independent hilly state during the medieval period when Maharaja Gulab Singh, the Dogra ruler of Jammu annexed it in 1821 AD. District Kishtwar was carved out from the erstwhile District Doda during the year 2007-08 when the Chief Minister of state Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad had taken a historic decision for creation of the new district .It has the unique distinction of being one of the biggest districts of the state in area just next to Leh and Kargil districts. Its area is almost one half of the total area of eleven districts of the valley and one third of the area of the Jammu region which too has eleven districts. 

History, geography, topography, demography, area and population define the status of a place or region. Kishtwar is almost mountainous like that of Himachal or Ladakh region. District Kishtwar has its boundaries touching the valleys of Himachal in the south east and Doda on South-West. The entire district is full of mountains, forest and hills. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs all resides here with peace, amity and brotherhood. He advised the people of Kishtwar to follow the lofty ideas and preachings of saints,seers and peers for which Kishtwar is well known and famous for and not to fall prey to the hate speeches and malicious propaganda of few anti social elements existing in the society.

In reply to a question raised by correspondent about the killing of Parihar brothers , District Magistrate replied that it was very unfortunate incident and expressed his heartfelt condolence and sympathy towards the breaved families.  Replying on queries of investigation in the gruesome killing of Parihar brothers by some unknown persons, District Magistrate replied that  SIT of JKP was constituted and Section 144 as well as Curfew was imposed across town and even internet service were snapped to avoid any untoward incident .  Adding that , the investigation was later handed to NIA , the primer investigating agency of the country. He expressed his hope that very soon the accused persons will be put behind bars. Since the creation of newly carved district in 2007 , a number of District Magistrates got posted at Kishtwar but Sh Angrez Singh Rana created a niche as a District Magistrate among all with his honesty and sheer dedication  who without any delay settles the grievance of the poor people on spot and also take stern action against erring officers.  

"Highlights"

Beside as an administrative head of district , Sh Angrez Singh Rana took a series of steps for empowerment and development of the district through various means . To curb the menance of false and fake news , Registration of WhatsApp group was major achievement which was later adopted by other districts and states across India as well as by some foreign countries at international level . Taking the initiative , as an able administrator , Ordered to dump dry grass at far away distance from homes to avoid any circumstance of fire incidents . Taking a strong note of complaints of private IGNOU center's regarding corruption and other mass copying charges,  constituted flying squad to conduct free and fair exams.  

To curb menance of corruption in government offices , District Magistrate brought transparency and accountability among all departments . He urged upon Socio Political Activist to bring up the genuine issues in his knowledge so that early action and redressal of grievance could be ensured . Taking strong note of Rural Development Department and Blocks of Kishtwar district, He stressed upon concerned authorities to bring transparency and take initiatives of development as per objectives and aims  of various schemes including MGNREGA , SBM , PAMY etc. Also issued order of physical verification of works under taken by department including the execution of works under CDF and MPLADS. Curbed the absentee culture in schools and other institutions. 

Started campaign of No fuel No hamlets and issued order to petrol pump owners not to fill fuel tanks of a motorcyclist / biker found not wearing halmet. Keeping the pride and crown of Kishtwar maintained , issued order over complete imposition of ban on vehicles in historic chowgan ground . He further banned illegal extraction / mining of stones and destroyed the nexus of illegal mining run by some  influential  persons. He also removed illegal encroachment on State land. He  strongly dealt with the black mailers with iron fist and put check on black mailers .  Not only this he imposed fine over littering and spreading filth and achieved the targets under Swachh Bharat Mission with a missionary zeal.  

This was for the first time in the district that both Municipal and Panchayat Elections were successfully and peacefully completed under his stewardship. He is really striving hard day and night to achieve the set out targets under Ayushmann Bharat and is taking hourly reviews with officers ensuring that the deserving beneficiaries may avail the health insurance benefits.    

Started campaign of Beti Bachao Beti Parao with full swing , extra surge and zeal and is convening weekly activities under the scheme whereas he also urged the media correspondents to highlight the importance of Beti Bachao Beti Parao Scheme besides all central  as well as state sponsored schemes among rural masses in order to avail maximum benefits of social benefits and development schemes.

Though it's a natural instinct and views of some vested people to criticize or raise fingers on his honesty and dedication for their personal gains, but their criticism or  maligned campaign even at behest of some murky politicians completely got trashed before the strong will, grit and determination of Sh Angrez Singh Rana who undoubtedly is one of the best administrator in the state. It is high time to vote and salute such honest and dedicated officer for his relentless , disciplined and praise worthy works viz a viz eco friendly and secular approach among all.

{The author is Freelance Journalist Columnist and Human Right Activist from Kishtwar Jammu and Kashmir and can be reached at shafqatshaheensheikh@gmail.com  09419974577 , 09018920786 }.