At Doda,The 71st Independence Day was celebrated with great zeal and patriotic enthusiasm at Doda.The main function was held at Sports stadium where Minster for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay unfurled the tricolor and inspected guard of honour.Later he took salute at March past comprising contingents of J&K police, IR 5th Batallion, CRPF 76 Bn, Forest protection force, Home guards and school children.MLA Doda Shakti Raj Parihar, DDC Doda Bhupinder Kumar, SSP Doda Mohammad Shabir Khatana besides other senior officers and prominent citizens of Doda graced the occasion.In his address, the Minister congratulated and greeted the people of the district for huge participation national festival celebration. He paid tributes to the eminent personalities and freedom fighters who played an important role in liberating the country from British rule. He said that since independence the country has achieved new heights of developmental and it is the duty of every citizen to work and make India shine globally.Elaborating the overall development scenario of the district, the Minister said that an amount of Rs 172.13 crore has been released under District plan for the year 2017-18 and against available amount of Rs 83.10 crores , Rs 70.49 crore stands utilised so far.
Recounting numerous initiatives taken by the Chief Minister, the Minster described the laying of foundation stone for Government Medical College at Ghat Doda as landmark moment. He said the construction work on the prestigious project shall start shortly. He also greeted the people on start of work on the Government polytechnic college the work on which is in progress.Expressing satisfaction over Road improvement works, he informed that the restoration work of Batote- Doda _ Kishtwar National highway-244 is being carried out by NHIDCL and all consolidated slips have been removed and black topping on 8km double lane has been completed. He further informed that the government has also approved upgrading and widening of road from Pul Doda to Beoli via Doda town under CRF at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. He said that the acquisition proces for Bhagwah- Bijarni- Laldraman Defence Road is in its final stages.Giving further details, he said under PMGSY Phase-3rd to phase-10, a total 133 roads have been taken up, of which 36 have been competed under phase-1 and 1 under phase-2, while 4 Long span bridges have also been completed. He also informed that 36 schemes at a cost of Rs 270.89 crore have been approved under phase-10. Adding further, he informed that the famous Ganpat bridge has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 35.71 crore which has reduced travel distance to Doda town by around 20 kms.
Regarding power supply, he said the upgrading of existing grid station at khellani from 40 MVA to 70 MVA, the power scenario of the Doda town has improved significantly. “Similarly the position of education sector has also improved by the completion of 12 new school buildings under Distt sector, 04 under state sector and 12 under RMSA during the past one year” added Mr Doorjay.Under MGNREGA, the Minster highlighted that during current financial year, an amount of Rs 69.33 crore has been utilised and 2.671 lac man days generated and 1220 works competed. The major achievement under MGNREGA and 14th FC is construction of 34 bridges and 169 culverts during the past one year, he asserted.Later a scintillating cultural programme was presented by the students of various govt and private schools of the district. The programme concluded with distribution of prizes among the participants of parade and cultural programme. The government employees with excellent performance were also awarded by the chief guest.Similar celebrations were held in other parts of the district including Bhaderwah where ADC Mohammad Hanief Malik unfurled the national flag and took salute at the march past.