Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that the Government has formulated a comprehensive programme to strengthen the existing infrastructure and to improve the socio-economic profile of the Poonch district. He targeted the previous regimes for ignoring this hilly district in all fronts and maintained that the present dispensation headed by Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Syed is fully determined to develop all nook and corners of the State equally.The Minister was addressing a large gathering of people at Mandi in Poonch district. Legislators Shah Mohammad Tantray, Yashpaul Sharma and senior PDP leader Pir Mansoor Hussain were also present on the occasion.
Asking the people to be part of the development process, the Minister said that people should actively participate in the monitoring of quality of works being carried out by the Government in different sectors to ensure durable and quality assets. He also warned the contractors for any lapse on their part and said that they must ensure quality of works strictly as per the laid down specifications. He said road network in the district has been given special attention and all on-going projects will be speeded up for their timely completion.The Minister said that 100 km of road length in the district has been targeted to be black topped under newly adopted specification of 75 mm instead of 20 mm during this financial year. The contractors have been directed to maintain the roads for three years after the blacktopping. He said majority of hot mix plant holders are not entering in to bidding process of for undertaking macadamization in view of introduction of new clause of maintenance of roads after three years, thus hampering the progress of blacktopping. He said government has decided to cancel the licenses of those hot mix plants who will not participate in the bidding process.
Referring to the roads being handled by BRO, Bukhari said that Organization has been asked either to ensure proper maintenance of the roads in the district or hand over them to the R&B department. He said Bafliaz-Surankot-Poonch road is in dilapidated condition and assured proper upgradation soon to make it all weather road. He said being Chairman of the District Development Board of the district, it is his duty to take care of overall development of this remote district. He said the people of the district will see a substantial change on ground with the implementation of various schemes.Referring to the issue of ReT teachers, Altaf Bukhari said that Government cannot make compromise with the quality of education, therefore, the steps taken by the education department is to ensure best manpower in schools to produce quality products, which have to take the rein of the State tomorrow. It is not the endeavor of the Government to harass any individual unnecessary, but keeping in view the poor results in Government schools the Government has taken several reformative measures in the education sector on the directions of the High Court, he added.
Pir Mansoor Hussain said that formation of alliance with BJP was aimed to give strong, accountable and transparent governance to the people of the State as per the clear mandate given by the people of both the divisions of the State. He said people have great expectations from the present regime and it will fulfill their aspirations. He said that Mehbooba Mufti is always talking about the development of Poonch district and has asked all the Ministers, especially R&B Minister, to give proper attention towards the development of this border district. He said he will advocate for setting up of engineering college in the district and holding the special recruitment drive in police for the youth of district.The legislators also addressed the gathering and demanded fast-track development of the district and upgradation of all essential sectors.