Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 25: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, today met the Union Minister for Housing & Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and requested for special dispensation to the State in the Housing & Urban Development sectors.
While interacting with Naidu, the Deputy Chief Minister bought to the notice of the Union Minister the initiatives being undertaken by the State Government in bringing both the twin-capitals of the State under the Smart City mission. He said that necessary exercises in this regard have already been initiated and the State Government is hopeful that these would be included in the smart city project soon.
Dr. Singh discussed the AMRUT programme with the Union Minister and said that the State is thankful to the Centre for including five major towns of the State in the flagship programme. He said comprehensive and need based development would be undertaken under the scheme and hoped that the Centre would also ensure that the scheme is completed fully so that these towns get all the requisite and modern housing and urban amenities.
While pleading for including other heritage sites in the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), the Deputy CM said that the State has got historical places which need to be covered under the programme. He said that by doing so we would be effectively ensuring the preservation and projection of our rich cultural heritage.
The Union Minister assured the Deputy CM that he would look into the issues projected by him and requisite instructions would be passed to the concerned for effective redress.
The Deputy CM later met the Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, N. S. Tomar and flagged several issues related to the sector.
He asked for taking up of several new rural roads under PMGSY so that the more far-flung areas of the State are inter-connected. He also called for widening the ambit of NRDWP so that safe drinking and irrigation facilities are provided to people living in various rural areas. Besides Dr. Singh also discussed the issues related to MGNREGA and other flagship schemes.
The Union Minister assured the Deputy CM that he would ensure that the issues raised by him are redressed in a time bound manner.
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