Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today gave approval to three proposed Cluster Tribal Model Villages in Rajouri district.A total of Rs 28 crore would be spent on different development schemes in Bhella, Keeri and Gundha villages to develop them as cluster model villages.Chowdhary Zulfkar gave the final approval to the project during a high level meeting convened by him here today which was attended by Commissioner Secretary Tribal Affairs Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Deputy Development Commissioner Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Director Tribal Affairs Mohammad Rafi, Secretary state Advisory board Gujjar and Bakerwals Mukhtar Ahmad Chowdhary and other senior officers of the department.During the meeting, Dr Shahid Iqbal gave a detailed presentation on the Cluster Tribal Model villages saying that reliable communication link with nearest markets would be set up besides construction of lanes and drains, play ground and parks, better sanitation facilities, adequate supply of drinking water and electrification of un-electrified villages would be in these villages.
During the meeting, it was informed that departments of Rural Development, Social Welfare, Education, Horticulture, Power Development, Heath and other departments will create necessary infrastructure in these cluster Model villages.Zulfkar directed that no home should be left without electrification and without safe drinking water supply.The Minister expressed the hope that these Model villages will help to uplift socio- economic status of the people in these areas. He underlined the need for involvement of public representatives in execution of development works to ensure tangible results. He said their involvement would help in timely completion of the entire project.Chowdhary Zulfkar asserted that the region have witnessed massive development in all spheres during the current regime and said that the government is duty bound to provide all basic amenities to the people of the state.The Minister asked the officers to take up area specific projects in the district to meet the aspirations of the people and ensure modern basic facilities.