Avtar Bhat
KISHTWAR, Dec 21: Blaming earlier Governments of totally neglecting Kishtwar in development, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh has urged the authorities to expedite the work on power projects under construction in the district to boost the power generation in the region so that the domestic need of electricity in the UT is not only met but the surplus power can be supplied to other states.
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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a workers meeting here, today, Dr Jitendra Singh said for about seven decades, Kishtwar was totally neglected by the successive State Governments who did not pay any attention to tap the power potential of the area despite the fact that the nature has bestowed this region with huge resources for electricity generation.
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Dr Jitendra Singh said even the ongoing power projects were halted by previous Governments while citing the example of 850 mw Ratle Power Project. Dr Jitendra Singh said at present work is going on three major power projects in Kishtwar district including 1000 mw Paccal Dul, 850 mw Rattle and 624 mw of Keru Power Project.
He said the region has a total capacity of generating 8000 mw of electricity out of which the domestic need of J&K is 3000 to 4000 mws while the surplus power generated thus can be supplied to other states. He said in coming times the Kishtwar district will emerge as the hub of power generation of Northern India.
He said besides power generation Safron production in the district will be given impetus and soon a Safron Park will be established in the district for which the land is being identified. The Union Agriculture Minister will lay its foundation stone, he added.
Taking a dig at previous Governments, Dr Jitendra Singh said before Narendra Modi took over as PM in 2014, Machail had no road connectivity, no mobile towers and no electricity. But now the road has been constructed, mobile towers have been established besides 1000 mw solar power project has been established and there is no need of laying electricity wire. The area will generate surplus solar power he, added.
The Union Minister said the people of the areas had to struggle for the development for over seven decades as no attention was paid to this area which it deserved by the previous Governments.
Dr Jitendra Singh said with the construction of power projects, setting up of Lavender startups in Kishtwar after its success story in Bhdarwah and establishing of Safron Park will open the job avenues for the youth of the area and the local economy will also get tremendous boost.
Earlier, addressing the workers meeting , Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the BJP’s leadership and its cadre. He commended the workers for their relentless hard work, enthusiasm, and efforts in connecting with the people of Kishtwar, especially in challenging circumstances. He expressed gratitude to the workers for their commitment to strengthening the party’s presence in the region.
Dr Jitendra Singh praised the Kishtwar Unit of BJP for delivering a stupendous showing during both Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party’s current generation is tasting the fruits of its success due to the sacrifices and hard work of its previous three generations of leaders and workers.
The Minister said that the road infrastructure of Kishtwar has significantly improved, and the party aims to support the ongoing developmental initiatives. He maintained that the Government has increased connectivity to previously inaccessible areas. Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed his confidence that the continued dedication of the Kishtwar district party workers would lead to further success and strengthen the party’s position in the upcoming elections.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated the importance of grassroots participation, urging the workers to maintain their momentum, as their collective efforts are crucial in achieving the party’s mission. He reaffirmed the Central leadership’s commitment to the district, emphasizing that the party is focused on delivering more developmental projects for the people of Kishtwar and addressing their needs and aspirations.
The meeting was attended, among others, by the BJP’s Kishtwar Unit chief, Chuni Lal Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, and BJP MLA representing Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar. Earlier, upon his arrival in the district office, he was warmly welcomed by the party workers.
Later, while chairing the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee Meeting (DISHA) here with the entire district administration led by Deputy Commissioner, Rakesh Kumar Shavan, and attended by local MLA and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) to undertake capacity building of local unskilled labour to increase their employability for projects requiring specific skills and specialised training.
Reviewing the status of projects aimed at boosting connectivity in the district, Dr Jitendra Singh, in particular, called for expediting the construction of a full-fledged airstrip in the town under ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN).
Dr Jitendra Singh instructed that the district administration must follow a Standard Operating Procedure for sharing of information with the PRIs during field visits conducted by officials. He added that inputs of PRI representatives should be taken by the officials for effective implementation of the schemes.
Dr Jitendra Singh directed the district administration to organise mass awareness camps highlighting the benefits of Lavender, Ayushman Bharat scheme for +75 age group citizens, and PM Surya Ghar Mutt Bijli Yojana. In a similar vein, he called for promoting Sansad Khelkud Spardha to develop sporting talent among the local youth, and also pitched for branding of local products, such as cumin seeds and Saffron.
The Minister informed that a saffron park will come up in Kishtwar soon. He said work on exploration of the world’s finest sapphire (Neelam) mines of Paddar area has been started and will yield additional revenue and creation of more employment opportunities for the local youth.
Today’s DISHA meeting held in the Mini Secretariat, Kishtwar was attended by MLA, Paddar Nagseni and Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, DDC, Chairperson, Pooja Thakur, MLA, Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, SSP Kishtwar, Javed Iqbal, DDC members, nominated members of the DISHA Committee besides District and Sectoral officers of different departments.
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