Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 11: Minister of State for Technical Education, Power, CA&PD, Vikar Rasool Wani today said that restoration work on damaged 132 KV-HT line in Poonch is going on war footing basis and power supply will be restored by this month.
This was stated by the Minister at a joint meeting of district officers, members of civil society and Sarpanchs held at Dak Banglow, here today.
Mr Vikar said that efforts are on to ensure early restoration of damaged power and other infrastructures at Poonch and Government has released Rs. 517 crore under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for the purpose. He said with the efforts of district administration, the Government restored several Power and PHE damaged facilities including 132 KV -HT line, 33 KV-LT Line 33 PHE schemes.
The Minister said that 400 unemployed youths (200 each from Poonch and Surankote Constituency) will be sponsored by the State to Punjab and other States for skill development trainings in various fields under technical education sector. He said that Civil Engineering Faculty Course will be introduced in Poonch Technical College from this year while land for the college has been already been acquired.
Mr Vikar said that steps will be taken to enhance K. oil tankers besides increasing BPL ration quota for Poonch district.
Earlier Mr. Vikar reviewed pace of restoration of damaged works. He was informed that major damages occurred to Power, PWD and PHE sectors.
MLA Poonch, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, Principal Secretary Power, A.K. Metha, Chief Engineer M&ER, Jammu, Shahnaz Gani, ADDC, ADC, SP members of civil society were present on the occasion.