The District Development Board (DDB) today approved Rs 168.30 cr annual plan for Doda district at its meeting held under the chairmanship of Minister for Social Welfare, Science & Technology and ARI & Training, Sajjad Gani Lone here at convocation center.The DDB meeting was attended by Minister of State for Education, and Tourism, Shakti Raj Parihar, Vice Chairperson J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissan Daljit Singh, Vice Chairperson for J&K State Advisory Board for Pahari Speaking People Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Vice Chairperson for J&K State Advisory Board for Development of SC Bhushan Lal Dogra, Vice Chairman, J&K State Adv. Board for Welfare & Dev. of OBCs Rashpaul Verma, Legislators G. M. Saroori, Daleep Singh, Neelam Kumar Langeh , Naresh Kumar Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat and Heads of various Departments and the district administration team led by Deputy Commissioner.Speaking at the meeting, Sajjad Lone called for laying special focus on core sectors and constant perusal for completing the procedural formalities resulting in early start of proposed projects. He asked the district administration to furnish a detailed report about the projects pending for want of different formalities including forest clearance so as to seek instant solution from the concerned quarters.
He underlined the need for systematic removal of bottlenecks hindering vital projects and strengthening service sector to provide sustained benefits to the people.
Expressing concern and displeasure over shortage of medical staff in the health institutions in the district, the Minister directed the district administration to approach the concerned authorities to take immediate steps in this regard.He directed heath department to sort the issue at an earliest and express serious concern over the failure of health department to appoint different streams of doctors as per the commitment made in the last meeting.“We will approach with a detailed memo to seek prompt resolution of issues and demands concerning each department” the Minister asserted.Meanwhile, projecting the issues of their respective constituencies, the legislators sought upgrading of schools, health institutions, new connectivity and maintenance of existing PMGSY roads, promotion of agriculture and allied sectors, improvement of power scenario, augmentation of drinking and irrigation water facilities, creation of tourism infrastructure at potential places and the issues related to healthcare and education.Earlier, giving a resume of achievements recorded under past financial year plan, the Deputy Commissioner said that against available funds to the tune of Rs 14611.052 Lakh, an expenditure of Rs. 13985.174 Lakh was made in the last fiscal thus registering an achievement of about 96%.Listing achievements under flagship schemes, the DC said against 64808 households identified under baseline survey 2012, around 56086 IHHL units (85%) have been constructed under SBM till date, while the District is set to achieve the ODF status by 15th July 2018. Three blocks and 120 panchayats have been already declared as ODF, he informed. He added that around 1100 works and 4.29 lakh mandays were generated under MGNREGA against an expenditure of Rs 111.25 crore till March end last. He also gave detailed overview of completed and ongoing roads, bridges, schools buildings under PMGSY, R&B, Rural Development and Education sector Schemes.