Avtar Bhat
RAMBAN, Oct 21: Making a scathing attack on National Conference (NC) and Congress, Union Minister of State in PMO with Indepen-dent charge of Northeastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today accused the two parties of creating “religion based regional divide.”
Talking to reporters here today at the sidelines of a public function and also while addressing a public meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh alleged that NC and Congress were creating regional divide on the basis of religion. “The two parties have always played the politics of instigating Hindu sentiments in Hindu dominated areas and Muslim sentiments in Muslim dominated areas. This way they divide the State on religion basis for their vested political ends and speak in different languages to different sections of people in different regions.”
He said, on the same issue, they have one stand in Kashmir which is meant to appease the people of Kashmir, opposite stand in Jammu to please the people of Jammu and third stand in Delhi to keep the Central Govern-ment in good humour.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, time has come to raise the question as to why Ramban and erstwhile Doda districts remained neglected for 70 years of Congress -NC rule despite of the fact that State Cabinet and Union Cabinet were all along represented by top leaders from this belt. Without naming any body, he said, even the native place of one of the longest serving Union Minister from erstwhile Doda did not have a post office and adequate school facilties till date whereas in last two years, “we got a Post Office and a Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) there.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “we have inherited a large baggage of neglect of last 70 years and in last three years of Modi Government , we have tried our best to make up for it, as fast as possible.”
The Union Minister said, for three generations the representatives from the region were enjoying the perks of power without bothering for erstwhile Doda district or the present Ramban district but they went unquestioned because the earlier generations never raised their voice but now , the third generation is asking questions and holding their elected representatives accountable.
Referring to Ramban, Dr Jitendra Singh said, he had started his schooling from Government School Ramban which unfortunately, even after over 40 years, has not been upgraded to the present-day standards.
Later addressing a public gathering, he announced a Kendriya Vidyalaya and sports stadium for Ramban for which the land has been identified. In total Central projects worth 115 crore have been approved for district Ramban by Modi Government, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said out of it, Rs 61 crore is meant only for PMGSY roads. “The proposal for crucial project for building new bridge over river Chenab has been included in the list of Centrally funded roads”, he added.
From the MPLAD Fund itself , Dr Jitendra Singh announced Rs 50 lakh for two community halls, one in Ramban and another in Rajgarh each.He said that MPLAD Fund has also been provided for fencing of Godha Gali road and multipurpose shed.
Earlier the Union Minister went for inspection of the work of the road connecting village Nera to Ganote in the outskirts of Ramban. This road is under construction under PMGSY at the cost of Rs 9.4 crore.
Addressing the local population in presence of district administration Dr Jitendra Singh said, he has taken a commitment from concerned officers that all the PMGSY roads in district Ramban will be completed before the end of 2018. He reiterated that State Government should expidite the procedure of DPRS and utilisation certificates for speedy completion of work. He suggested that Government should make use of modern online technology for this purpose.
DC Tariq Ganai, MLA Neelam Langeh, District president BJP Ramesh Sharma also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh today chaired a high level meeting to review the development scenario in the district.
He had a detailed review of the status and progress of various mega development projects being executed in the district. He directed the concerned authorities to expedite the progress on these vital works to ensure their timely completion.
Dr Singh asked the DDC to evolve an effective mechanism for regular monitoring and follow up of all ongoing development works. He also exhorted upon them to hold periodic review meetings with all the stakeholders to meet the purpose behind launch of these projects envisaging improvement in living standards of people.
He also reviewed forest clearance issues of construction companies and directed the Forest Department to coordinate with DC for early settlement of cases so that national projects are completed timely. He directed the administration to ensure employment opportunities for local youth in ongoing projects.
He asked the Deputy Commissioner to identify financial or technical barrier causing delay in development works so that could be rectified at the appropriate time for larger interest of the society.
The meeting also had a review of physical and financial status of works being done under MPLADS, PMGSY and related development projects including water supply schemes.
He directed the executing agencies to start work of community hall Rajgrah besides speeding up work of fencing of Gora Gali Gool and filtration plant. Minister also took the stock of progress of projects including indoor stadium at Chanderkot, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya and bridge over river Chenab at Maitra, up-gradation of Patnitop to Sanasar Road and asked DDC to follow-up the projects so that same can be started at an earliest.
Emphasizing on optimum utilization of available resources, the Union Minister exhorted upon the concerned officers to gear up their men and machinery to meet the work requirements thus satiating people’s aspirations.
MLA Ramban projected various issues pertaining to upgradation of roads, electricity supply, health, education, construction of viewpoints along national highway, water supply and other basic amenities in his constituency besides seeking an early redressal of the same.
The Union Minister asked the officers to prioritize the redressal of issues related to basic amenities so that the people may not suffer on this account.
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