Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs Chering Dorjay today reviewed implementation of decisions of District Development Board and evaluated physical and financial progress achieved under core sectors at DDB review meeting, here today.Speaking at the meeting, he stressed on the need for laying major thrust on strengthening and expanding outreach of education and health services. He said if people are educated, they can access and avail the development schemes and also understand the programmes and policies of the government.The chairman also stressed on promotion of tourism sector in the district to generate employment opportunities for unemployed youth. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda, Vice Chairman for the development of OBCs Rashpal Verma, Vice Chairman Bushan Lal Dogra, MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, MLA Gool-Arnas Aijaz Ahmed Khan, MLA Gulabgarh, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Reasi Prasanna Ramaswamy G, SSP Tahir Bhat, HoDs and other senior officers of line departments. District Development Commissioner (DDC) presented a detailed resume of financial and physical achievements under various development schemes and components of capex budget. He informed that against the allocation of Rs 73.30 crore, the district expended Rs 51 crore thus recording 70% expenditure.
Responding to the issues raised in the meeting regarding the agencies executing various projects, the chairman took strong note of complaints about the indiscriminate dumping of excavated material. In this regard revenue department was directed to identify safe locations to avoid damage to natural resources like water bodies besides roads, power infrastructure and the like. The Chairman asked OC GREFF to complete the widening and improvement of Reasi-Mahore road in stipulated timeframe and directed the district administration to regulate the diversion of traffic to avoid hampering of the work. The board also directed for upgrading of road from Rud bridge to Narloo bridge.Instructions were also issued for identification of the site for establishment of Bitumen plant in Arnas and Mahore areas to take up the blacktopping of the roads in the hilly belts without any delay. The chairman stressed on completion of all bridges taken up in convergence mode by NHPC and RDD in the district.The chairman also asked collector land acquisition to start assessment of damages to land, structures and canals due to construction of railways in Judda, Kouri, Khanikote, Dugga and Sawalkote so that compensation is paid to affected people. He also asked the officers to promote sports activities in the district for overall development of the youth. In response to the issue raised by MLAs, it was decided to involve the local legislators in the process of constitution of Self Help Groups (SHG)s to mobilize maximum number of people for micro financial activities. The RDD was asked to upload MIS data on priority, while PO, ICDS was asked to ensure the construction of Anganwadi center buildings with the assistance of RDD under convergence mode.
The chairman stressed for development of Ghora Gali in Sildhar, Chanena Devta, Floriculture Park near Zorawar Singh Haveli at Vijaypur, park at Kalika temple and other tourist sites in the district.Meanwhile, it was informed by the director tourism that the work at Bhim Fort has been completed and tourist facilities are being developed at Siard Baba shrine, while the department has also drawn a plan to establish a tourist grid in the district with various attractions, including water sports.The chairman expressed satisfaction over implementation of DDB decision for development of Kund-Kanyari as orange village. He emphasized on fast tracking of the development of old hospital building to house Mother and Child care center, clearing liabilities of SDRF besides filling up posts of specialized doctors in district hospital and posting of Medical Officer at PHC Ransoo. The Chairman also laid stress on gearing up development of floriculture park at Chinkah, construction of skill development institute by Shrine Board Katra, development of Tuli-Bana- Chana as cluster tribal model village, transfer of land under the possession of Sheep Husbandry department for allied development purposes. The R&B agreed to start work of a school building at Khanikote.The Chairman directed for timely stocking of ration in far flung areas of Mahore and Chasana during winter season. The DC was asked to submit a proposal for construction of SC hostel in the district to provide accommodation to the rural students of the community studying in the town.
Minister of State Ajay Nanda said that the Government has achieved maximum progress in respect of roads and other development projects which were pending in the state. He said in the current season blacktopping of maximum roads of district has been completed. He said the departments are working with full dedication to implement schemes on the ground level.
MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, while referring to the DISHA meetings being held in the district on regular basis, said the focus of government is to upgrade health infrastructure, education scenario, tribal areas, water facilities and other prioritized sectors. He asked officers to extend full support in the development of Kanthan as model village under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.Meanwhile, legislatures raised the issues of construction of stadiums at Reasi, Dharmari and Mahore, construction of PMGSY Road projects, schools and hospital buildings, bridges, adequate staff in health and educational institutions, payment of pending compensation to owners of the land used for roads, construction of bridges, covering all hamlets under Power and water supply schemes in Reasi, Katra, Mahore, Shidole, Dharmari, Thuroo, Thakrakote, Judda, Bhomag, Shajroo, Chasana, Gari, Arnas, Thilloo, Sildhar and other villages.