Chairman, J&K Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali met Union Minister for Finance, Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley and Union Minster for Water Resources Ms. Uma Bharti here today and discussed various issues related to the development of Kargil area.Haji Anayat Ali urged Jaitley for making arrangements for broadcasting the regional version of Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s Radio programme “Mann-ki-Baat” from All India Radio’ relay Stations Drass, Tai-Suru and Padum and FM Stations along with other regional programmes broadcast from All India Radio Kargil on the demands of the locals.The Chairman termed AIR Kargil as the main media and communication lifeline of the district that binds together its people, who are spread across the difficult terrain. He said that the programmes through these relay stations will go a long way in strengthening the social bonds within the district and other parts of the country.
He also requested for speedy completion of construction work of AIR FM Station which is coming up at Hombothingla and to make FM Radio service available round the clock in the area like other parts of the country. He also pleaded the plight of the casual workers of All India Radio in Kargil, Drass, Tai Suru and Padum who are working there for the past many years and urged for regularization of their services, adding that these workers are instrumental in making these stations functional in the most difficult conditions in this isolated part of the country.Haji Anayat Ali also discussed the issue of opening of Programme Generating Facility (PGF) of Doordarshan Kargil which is the long pending demand of the people of this border area. This would help in promoting the local culture and generate employment opportunities for the local youth, besides providing unique geo-strategic opportunity to reach the people living across the LoC in Baltistan.
Mr. Arun Jaitley assured Haji Anayat Ali that all these demands will be examined on priority and appropriate steps will be taken on merit.Later, the Chairman also discussed various issues relating the water resources with Ms. Uma Bharti and sought adequate funds for the schemes being executed under AIBP, FMP and NRDWP Schemes to augment the drinking water facilities and irrigational facilities in the Kargil district. He also requested for the inclusion of new projects under AIBP, FMP & NRWDP schemes on priority to cater the need of drinking water and irrigational facilities.The Union Minister assured Haji Anayat Ali that adequate funds will be released for the completion of these schemes on priority.