Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 13: The Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta said that the Government has pushed reset of the sustainable and participatory development by reimagining work ethics/culture for achieving welfare and developmental goals in J&K.
He said that work ethics reset has translated promise into performance, as typified by a spike in completion rate of developmental works and near saturation of social security schemes in J&K.
The Chief Secretary said despite stricter financial regime, around 50000 works will be completed this year.
He said completion of such a large number of works has busted the myth that a tighter/rule based financial regime throttles the economic activity.
Dr Mehta was speaking in a review meeting of the district Kathua, which was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and various sectoral heads of the Jammu division.
At the outset, the Chief Secretary inaugurated a 50 bedded Covid block pre fab facility at Associated Hospital GMC Kathua funded by American India Foundation under CSR and SDRF.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Yadav gave a presentation, outlining the Physical and Financial achievements of the district under district capex.
Director Tourism, Jammu, Vivekanand Rai informed that Kathua-Bani-Basohli-Baderwah-Sinthan top circuit is being developed as an eco-tourism axis.
He said Bani-Basohli road is by and large in good shape except a 9 km stretch, which will be repaired shortly in collaboration with BRO.
Dwelling upon prevailing drug menace in the district, SSP, Kathua said the problem of drug abuse is being tackled in collaboration with all the stakeholders including the wider public.
The chief secretary directed for enlarging scope of activities in MGNREGA through convergence with other departments.
Saying that the district has realised only one-fifth of its potential so far, Dr Mehta directed for targeting generation of atleast 50 lakh person days in a year.
He asked for converting all grams in the district as swacch grams by 15th August.
The Chief Secretary directed for developing the Bani-Basohli axis going all the way to Sinthan top and beyond to the valley as eco/adventure tourism axis.
He said members of the youth clubs should be skilled and assisted in concert with mission youth to provide tourist related services along this tourism axis.
The Chief Secretary said tented and home stay facilities for tourists in and around these places will be big draw amongst the tourists as it will gel with surroundings.
He also directed for organizing Kathua tourism festival to project Kathua as a potential tourism destination on the tourism landscape of the UT.
Dr Mehta directed for adopting triple cropping farm practices in the district for improving farm incomes in line with Prime Minister’s vision of doubling the farm income by 2022.
He directed for connecting all habitations in the district by December, 2022.
Citing the importance of nariniketans/ old homes/orphanages in the rehabilitation of distressed women/old age people and children, he asked Divisional Commissioner to ensure each district sets up atleast one such welfare home/one stop centre by 15th April.
He said long neglected3700 ponds across J&K will be rejuvenated/restored shortly and directed for coordinating with soil conservation department for restoring the dry and dilapidated ponds in the districts.
The chief secretary directed DC to regularly review progress of the developmental works and schemes to ensure that slippages are avoided.
Later, the Chief Secretary also met a delegation of PRIs lead by DDC Chairperson Mahan Singh, Vice Chairman DDC Raghunandan Singh, president MC Kathua and others.
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