Minister for Power Development, Sunil Kumar Sharma and Minister of State for Education and Tourism Shakti Raj Parihar today paid their maiden visit to district Kishtwar along with MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Singh Parihar.The ministers addressed a massive gathering of people arrived here to welcome the legislators on getting elevated into the ministry. People of Chenab valley expressed heartfelt gratitude to Govt for giving due representation to the area in the ministry. Calling the decision as a welcome step, the people hoped for an overall development of area on the modern lines and a significant change in economy status of people of these rural districts.Addressing a huge gathering, Sunil Kumar Sharma said it is with the support and faith of people that he has reached at such a a landmark. He assured the people of Kishtwar for holistic and equitable development besides welfare of the people especially living in a far flung areas.He said that his main motive will be to tap the huge potential of power generation in the Chenab region and the Govt. will do concrete efforts to harness the same. He said that the area has a potential of around 20,000 MW which can cater to the electric needs of the people besides can provide employment to large number of unemployed youth of the area.He said that the work on all the mega and mini hydro electric power projects of Chenab valley shall be taken up shortly which will absorb a large number of skilled and unskilled people of Chenab region on priority basis.Minster further assured the public of Kishtwar to provide all the basic amenities/facilities at their doorstep. He said that the tendering process for widening of Batote- Kishtwar highway has been taken and work shall be expected to start at the earliest.
He also assured to provide electricity to all the left out villages in both the districts on priority.Minister of state, Shakti Raj Parihar while speaking on the occasion said that being elevated as Minster, he has been given a huge responsibility to look after the people of whole state especially the people of Chenab valley and that he will work his best and ensure that the benefit of govt. scheme reach down to the grass root level.In his speech, he laid stress on development of Tourism, Education and Power Sector in Chenab region and said that the area has been bestowed with a huge potential of power generation, beauty and many other factors. He said a holistic plan shall be developed in consultation with the local administration to tap the potential fully in a shortest possible time.Parihar urged upon the youth of the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar to have faith in their abilities and qualities and work whole heartedly to achieve the dream. He assures people of every possible support in terms of education and said he will work day and night for the welfare of communities not represented adequately in terms of education.MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Parihar also spoke on the occasion and said he has always been committed to serve the people and work for the development and welfare of weaker sections of the society.He counted the numerous achievements made by the present govt. and expressed hope they all the promised made by the govt shall be fulfilled in a time bound manner. The MLA also requested the people to maintain harmony and brotherhood among each other and pave way for the significant development of the area.DDC Kishtwar Angrez Singh Rana, SSP Kishtwar Abrar Chowdhary, ADDC Kishtwar Imam Din, other district officers were also present on the occasion.