Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today inaugurated 8-day long ‘Diwali’ Festival at a function organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) and J&K Tourism Department in collaboration with Apsara Road Traders Association (ARTA), here this evening at Gandhi Nagar.
Commissioner JMC Kiran Wattal, Vice-Chairman JDA Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma, Managing Director JK Housing Board Ram Pal Sharma, President Chamber of Commerce Y V Sharma, Additional Secretary JKAACL, Savita Bakshi, President Apsara Road Traders Association Ashwani Khullar, Senior Superintendent of Police Atul Goel besides representatives of ARTA and a large number of prominent citizens of Gandhi Nagar were present at the inaugural function.
The renowned artists of Jammu presented colourful cultural items including Dogra folk, Pahari, Punjabi and Kashmiri songs which were highly applauded by the gathering at Dussehra Ground.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Bhalla said that tangible or intangible culture of any country is the great heritage for the people which educate them about their rich culture. He said culture has the great power to unite the people and reflects oneness.
The Minister appreciated the efforts of Cultural Academy and Tourism Department for taking keen interest to organise such a mega event at Gandhi Nagar on the auspicious festival of Diwali.
Dr. Sudhir Mahajan conducted proceedings of the programme efficiently.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhalla said that Government is working towards ensuring overall development in every nook and corner of the State and to meet this objective, various projects are being launched across the State.
He was launching Rs. 15 lakh development works at Nai Basti, Nanak Nagar Sector-4 and Sheikh Nagar in Bahu Fort.
The Minister asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to complete all the launched projects within stipulated time frame by using quality material. He said that an effective monitoring mechanism has been put in place to enforce accountability and transparency in the implementation of the developmental schemes in every district and block level headquarters.
Mr. Bhalla assured that the Government is making all out efforts to extend every help to the people at their door steps. He asked the accompanied officers of JMC, PHE, ERA, R&B, UEED and PDD to formulate a detailed project report of shortfall of the development works at Nanak Nagar, Sheikh Nagar and Nanak Nagar.
Responding to the demand of Nanak Nagar Sector-4 residents, Mr. Bhalla said the Government has approved the project for laying of water supply pipes of 4 inch dia in the locality and the digging work would be started within three days. He said the water supply pipes would also be laid in the periphery areas of the locality.
Regarding sanitation of lanes and drains of Nanak Nagar, Bahu Fort and Nai Basti, the Minister asked the JMC officers to depute regular teams of Safaikaramcharies for ensuring clean and healthy environment.
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