Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli, Wednesday said the State Government is making strenuous efforts to develop rural areas at par with urban areas in terms of provision for basic amenities and employment opportunities.“Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and liberal funding from the central government, the state is marching fast towards equitable development and prosperity,” Kohli said.He said a new era of prosperity has already begun in the state and the results are very much visible on the ground.The Minister was addressing a public gathering at Sagote in Kalakote of Rajouri district today.The Minister said the rural areas of the state were totally neglected in respect of development during the past, but the present dispensation is paying focused attention to every area, when it comes to provision for basic facilities and economic development.Kohli said the Government’s main focus is to upgrade the basic services like drinking water, road connectivity, education, electricity, health services, and transport to improve the living condition of the people across the State.
“Provision of basic facilities, road connectivity, interventions in rural economy and optimum use of local resources will ensure inclusive progress and prosperity of the society,” said the Minister.Reiterating Government’s commitment, the Minister said the Government has formulated a well-knit plan to upgrade the existing infrastructure for providing improved basic services to the people in rural areas.Responding to the demands raised by the people with regard to better road connectivity, the Minister said that instructions have been issued to the executing agencies viz PMGSY and R&B Departments to ensure completion of all road projects taken up in Kalakote within stipulated time frame. He further instructed the authorities to ensure that the benefits of centrally sponsored schemes reach the masses at grassroots level.Kohli said roads are vital for development of any area and added that provision of road linkage to all the far flung areas have been given first priority by the government. He also assured special attention to the problems of the people living in Kandi and hilly areas.