Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary on Sunday asserted that ensuring enhanced facilities to the people in every nook and corner of the state with emphasis on rural and border pockets of the state is the main mantra of present dispensation.The Minister said this while addressing a huge gathering after launching Rs 60 lakh macadamization work on Kotli-Mirdian link road.This link road from Kotli-Mirdian to main K K road, to be upgradaded with an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh, will provide connectivity to the people of Bhojpur, Bidhipur and other adjoining villages.Later, while speaking at the concluding function of 10 day Gram uday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan (village emergence and development to Bharat emergence and development) held at Suchetgarh block headquarter, the Minister said that “Government is committed for welfare and prosperity of the villages as a large chunk of total population of Jammu and Kashmir resides in rural and remote areas.”
The Minister added that the government has taken several initiatives for upliftment of farmers and rural economy through a series of State and centrally sponsored schemes. He said centre government is generous in providing funds to carry forward flagship programmes and other vital projects in the state.Highlighting 73rd amendment of Indian constitution, he said that Panchayati raj helped in promoting rural development, foster farmer welfare and enhance the livelihood of the poor in villages.Sham Choudhary impressed upon the Sarpanchs and Panchs to ensure regular inspections and supervision of ongoing development works in their respective panchayats. He called upon the PRIs to ensure greater public participation in every developmental endeavour initiated by the administration in line with the broader policies of coalition Government.
Reiterating the significance of gram Sabhas in planning and execution of rural development works, Sham Choudhary said that this abhiyan will help in all-round development of the villages by the way of planning for the development works would be decided on the basis of the priority by the gram sabhas themselves.The Minister appreciated and encouraged panchayat representatives to continue with the good work for the welfare of their own people, by conducting regular gram sabha’s in their respective panchayats. It will help in making gram sabha’s a strong and vibrant unit of democracy.
Earlier, Sham Choudhary also conducted extensive tour of various villages including Sai Kalan, Sai, Chakroi and adjoining areas of Suchetgarh constituency.The Minister, while addressing the people at Sai village, said that their demand for alternate bridge has been forwarded to the concerned ministry for approval. He said that projects worth Rs.1.60 crore have been sanctioned for execution under model village at Sai and it will fulfill all the basic demands of the people especially regarding lanes and drains.