Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 22: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh today said the present Coalition Government is fully committed for the development of all the regions and sub-regions of the State and focus is being laid on creation of productive assets.
Deputy Chief Minister was speaking during the meeting convened to review the functioning of Municipal Committees of district Rajouri.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli, Vice-Chairman State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, MLA Rajouri Choudhary Qamar Hussain, MLC Surinder Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Hirdesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Shabir Ahmed Bhat, SSP Salman Choudhary, Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu Soujanya Sharma besides other officers were present in the meeting.
While reviewing the functioning of Municipal Committees of Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Thanamandi and Kalakote, the Deputy Chief Minister discussed various issues pertaining to establishment of solid waste management plant, construction of sanitary complexes, creation of parking lots, extension of town halls, creation of revenue generating assets, identification of land for modernized slaughter house, installation of street lights, dust bins and identification of garbage collection points.
During the meeting, Dr Singh was apprised about the work done and the assets created by the Urban Local Bodies along with the status of men and machinery involved in sanitation works of the towns.
Legislators put forth various demands in the meeting pertaining to the development of their respective areas.
Dr Singh directed Deputy Commissioner to speed up the process of identification of land for construction of a common solid waste management plant for both Rajouri and Thanamandi municipality. He further asked him to identify a suitable land for the construction of parking area for Rajouri town.
The Deputy Chief Minister announced Rs 25 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for the construction of the lanes and drains in Thanamandi and Kalakote municipality respectively.
He directed the officers to work with positive approach to make these bodies vibrant and self-reliant. He asked them to finish the projects in fixed timeline to avoid cost escalation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the progress of development projects in Poonch district and stressed the need for judicious use of funds and human resource to ensure better delivery of services.
The Deputy Chief Minister asked the district administration to reach out to the people and focus on development and good governance and be sensitive and responsive at all levels towards public needs as well as accomplishing the works entrusted.
Earlier Deputy Commissioner Poonch gave a resume of the financial and physical achievements of the Department of Urban Local Bodies.
While projecting their demands the local legislators said that Poonch town has its own historical importance and because of negligent attitude of the successive regimes many historical buildings like Poonch Fort, Town Hall, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal have lost their glory.
The legislators also brought it into the notice of Dy Chief Minister that major projects for developing Poonch municipality are still unapproved from the Central Government. They requested for early sanctioning of these projects.
They also informed the chair that embankment of Poonch town is urgently required to save it from floods.
Responding to the demands projected in the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Poonch is the face of Pir Panchal and it acts as a nerve centre. He said a road map would be chalked out to address the developmental and other issues of the area.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Central Government is liberal in providing funds for making J&K a model state in respect of creating infrastructure for roads , bridges, school buildings, health centers, drinking water supply.
He further said that to revive the glory of important monuments in Poonch, he would take up the matter with Union Culture Ministry and the State Government.
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