Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said that Katra is one of the ten iconic places in the country which will be part of a pilot project under the Swachh Bharat Mission.“As part of Swachh Bharat Mission to clean and sanitize the entire country, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has identified 10 such iconic places to start cleanliness drives under the Mission.”Dr Nirmal Singh informed this after laying the foundation stone of 3-storeyed Municipal Commercial Complex at Katra Counter No - 2. The complex consisting of Shops, Food Courts and office complex of Municipal Committee Katra will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 794.98 lakh.Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Information Technology, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Nanda, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Ravinder Kumar, Director Local Bodies Soujanya Sharma, SSP Sujit Kumar, SDM Katra Neelam Khajuria, CEO Municipality, Additional CEO SMVDSB and other district officers were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy CM said that Katra is the face of J&K as tourists from all over country and World visit this holy destination and both Central and State Governments are taking adequate steps towards development of this iconic town for providing world class facilities to the visiting pilgrims.He also said that developing and providing better facilities in Katra and other such pilgrim tourist destinations throughout the state is receiving focused attention of the government. Stressing on taking adequate steps for improving sanitation in the town, Dr Singh asked the concerned to take immediate steps for ensuring cleanliness and hygiene at the base camp for which he also sought cooperation of all stakeholders.
While highlighting its major achievements, Dr. Singh reiterated the commitment of the present government to provide basic amenities to the citizens of the state adding that the main focus of the Government is to fasttrack the recruitment policy and strive for a corruption free environment in the state.
Dr. Singh emphasized that all villages and households shall be electrified under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, which will provide round the clock power to rural households and adequate power to agricultural consumers, he added. Regarding the issue of waste management plant in Katra town Dy CM said that land for construction of the same has been identified. Deputy CM said that government is making strenuous efforts to boost heritage tourism in the state and work on Tawi River Front Development Project, Tawi Lake Project, Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex, Ropeway project will help promote tourism in the region.
Setting up of AIIMS each in Jammu and Kashmir is a landmark step to augment the health care system in the state” maintained the Deputy Chief Minister and informed that land for the establishment of this prestigious project has been identified in Vijaypur and academic sessions in IIT and IIM will commence from this year.The Deputy Chief Minister said that various external forces are hell-bent to disturb the peace and tranquility in the state adding that all such nefarious designs will be thwarted and every effort will be made to restore normalcy and peace.Earlier in his address, Ajay Nanda highlighted various achievements of the government and said that all out efforts will be made to ensure all round development of the area.