*Naigarh water supply scheme being completed next year
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Nov 10: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who was on a visit to the town, reviewed the pace of work on some key developmental projects in the district with the officers of district administration.
The Chief Minister impressed upon the officers to expedite work on some important projects in core sectors like water supply, health, education etc. so that people of catchment areas get the much needed benefits from these projects.
Mehbooba Mufti said the Government intends to undertake speedy development of the district so that people of the area don’t have to travel hundreds of kilometers for petty issues. She said there are many ambitious developmental projects coming up in the district and asked the administration to make a plan of action for involving local youth in the execution of such projects. This, she said, would address the unemployment problem in the district to a great extent.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, G N Balwan briefed the Chief Minister about the developmental scenario in the district.
The Chief Minister enquired about the long awaited Naigarh water supply scheme coming up in the district at a cost of Rs. 24.25 crore and she was informed that the scheme is targeted to be completed by December 2017. She also enquired about the status of proposed polytechnic college to be set up in the town and was informed that land for the purpose has been identified but compensation for approach road is awaited.
Mehbooba Mufti also sought an appraisal about the status of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme and the ration distribution scenario in the district. She expressed displeasure over the complaints that some people in the district have not received their ration properly.
The Chief Minister was informed that under the Discover Destinations Scheme, work on Tourist Reception Centre, Sarthal has been completed and it is ready for operations.
The Chief Minister also reviewed that upgradation status of Batote-Kishtwar and Kishtwar-Sinthan roads and directed the concerned to expedite the process so that people of the district are connected to Jammu and Srinagar through easy road connectivity.
Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Andrabi, Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Sharma, legislators, G. M. Saroori and Firdous Tak, Secretary, Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah besides officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister complimented people of Kishtwar for maintaining age old communal harmony and brotherhood despite provocations.
Interacting with several deputations and a number of people, the Chief Minister said development of Kishtwar has always remained close to her heart, adding the Government would give the necessary push to the developmental activities so that people in the area reap the benefits at the earliest.
Mehbooba Mufti said tourism in the area would be given big boost by linking the region to the adventure track and trekking circuit. She said this year Rs 6 crore would be spent on upgrading tourist facilities in the district and in the coming four years Rs 50 crore would be expended in tourism sector in the region.
The Chief Minister said the shrines of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) and Hazrat Shah Farid ud Din (RA) would be brought under pilgrim tourism and the facilities for Machail Yatra would be upgraded.
Mehbooba Mufti listened patiently to the issues brought to her notice by the deputations and assured them of appropriate action.
A deputation of District Bar Association demanded posting of Mobile Traffic Magistrate besides regulating traffic in the main town.
A deputation of Congress demanded setting up of a fire station at Chatroo besides construction of Chatroo-Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel.
Another deputation of BJP demanded enhancement in the ration quota and upgradation of Batote-Kishtwar road.
A deputation from PDP demanded opening of a Women’s College in the town and asked the power companies working in the district to spend the money under CSR for the infrastructure development of the area.
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