The annual plan for 2013-14 for the District has been pegged at Rs. 101.91 crore. Decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the District Development Board meeting today presided over by Minister Higher Education, Mr. Mohammad Akbar Lone who is also chairman of the Board.The Plan includes Rs.40 crore as revenue component and Rs.61.91 crore as capital component.Several important decisions were taken in the meeting which includes construction of Loran-Tangmarg road via Sultan Pathri which provides another shortest road link between Kashmir Valley and Poonch district, road up gradation of Surankote town upto Buffliaz by macadamization, development of tourist places around prestigious Mughal Road etc.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Lone stressed the need on connectivity adding that habitations of 250 souls would be provided upgraded road facility. He directed raising necessary infrastructure along Mughal Road for facilitating local as well as foreign tourists.The meeting was told that work on Tourist Dak Banglow at Poonch stands completed whereas work on Dak Banglow Surankote & Mendhar is apace and nearing completion.Mr. Lone announced that Government is actively considering to upgrade health and educational institutions during current year for which local legislators would be consulted for feasibility of location.
Earlier, District Development Commissioner, Mr. Sajad Ahmed Khan gave a resume of achievements registered during last fiscal. He said Rs.94.03 crore have been incurred on execution of various development works during 2012-13. It was revealed that 11 kms road length was black-topped, 28 kms shingled, 25 kms mettled, 28 kms made fair weather. 68 bridges/culverts and 890 metres protection walls were also completed during the period, he said.The DDC said 41300 Pahari students and 39186 G&B Students were provided scholarship whereas 74819 students of 1473 educational institutions were covered under Mid Day Meal Scheme. Moreover, 209 transformers of different capacities were repaired and replaced, he added.
Vice-Chairman (VC) State Pahari Advisory Board, Mr. Kafil-ur-Rehman, VC - G&B Ch. Bashir Ahmed Naz, VC – OBC Mr. Kuldeep Raj Verma, MP Mr Madan Lal Sharma, legislators, Mr. Ajaz Ahmed Jan, Sardar Rafiq Hussain Khan, Mr. Yashpal Pal Sharma, Mr. Javaid Ahmed Rana, Mr. Jahangir Hussain Mir, Dr. Shanaz Ganai and Mr. Sham Lal Bhagat, HODs of various Departments, Chief Engineers of various Engineering Wings, District Officers including ADDC Syed Anwar Hussain Shah, Superintendent of Police Ch. Shamsher Hussain, and others attended the meeting.