Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: Reviewing implementation of schemes taken up under bad pocket development initative in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Planning, Labour & Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, on Thursday stressed the need for optimum utilization of funds to benefit targeted segment of population in stipulated timeline.
“The initiative aims at holistic development of far flung and backward areas with an avowed objective of enhancing the quality of life of the people”, the Minister said while chairing a high level meeting of legislators representing these areas.
The meeting was attended by, Minister of State for Cooperative and Planning, Manohar Lal Sharma, Minister for PWD, Abdul Majid Wani, Minister of State for Revenue and Rehabilition, Aijaz Khan, Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Home, Industries & Commerce, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo besides legislators, G M Saroori, Rachpal Singh, Radhey Sham Sharma, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Abdul Gani Malik, Mohammed Sharief Niaz and others.
The Minister said that Rs 15.75 crore had been released for the innovative progress in 2011-12, notwithstanding the financial constraints, for executive of various development projects and welfare schemes in Udhampur, Ramban, Poonch, Kathua, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Doda, Kupwara, Bandipora, Leh and Kargil districts.
He reviewed sector wise performance and status of various projects and said that these are required to be completed within specific time frame. Delays, if any, he said will frustrate the spirit of the initiative introduced in 2011-12. He also took stock of the physical and financial achievements under the programme with reference to release of funds.
Under Special Package, Mr Sadhotra said, Rs 50 crore had been earmarked for addressing the unique developmental needs of bad pockets or backward areas, of which Rs 20 crore were released well in time.
The Minister called upon the legislators to personally monitor the implementation of programme and devise a mechanism of close supervision so that the objective of bridging the gap with regard to infrastructural development is achieved.
Referring to the overall development of the State, the Minister said plank of the developmental strategy is to prioritise schemes of immediate public importance with thrust on their timely completion. He said the developmental initiative for bad pockets assumes greater significance in view of peculiar and unique needs of geographical disadvantageous areas of the State.
“The Coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is determined to remove the gap of development between areas and ensure equitable and faster development of all the three regions and their sub regions”, he maintained.
He laid stress on maintaining high quality of works in a transparent manner. He also sought the cooperation of the people in the implementation of this programme and hoped that the initiative will go a long way in addressing to the problems of the remote areas.
Sadhotra assured the legislators that all possible support will be forthcoming from the Government for development of their constituencies. He said their suggestion and priorities will greatly help while devising plans.
Principal Secretary, Planning & Development, B R Sharma and other senior officers of the department were present in the meeting.
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