Minister of State for Education, Tourism and Culture, Priya Sethi toured Nagrota and adjoining areas and laid foundation stone for multiple development works at Block Dansal to be executed through her Constituency Development Fund (CDF) here today.The works included upgradation of road of Mata Kali Temple at Panchayat Churta and construction of community hall at ward no.1 of Panchayat Dansal to be initiated by Department of Rural Development funded under CDF at an estimated cost of Rs 18 lakhs and Rs 20 lakhs respectively.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the coalition government is working on an agenda of equitable development to ensure welfare of every section of society with special focus on population living in rural and far flung areas.Stressing on development and beautification of the historic temple, the Minister announced Rs10 lakhs under NREGA for beautification works with installation of decorative lights on the path, construction of parks along with several other facilities like installation of benches, clean drinking water to cater to the visiting pilgrims.
Priya said that the construction of park and other beautification works will not only add to the scenic view around the Temple but will also tap the tourism potential of the area by attracting more tourists.She asked the concerned officers to assess the developmental need of the Temple and instructed them to put in place a proper mechanism for the development of spiritual and religious heritage.Priya also announced an additional Rs4 lakhs for construction of its boundary walls through Tourism department.The minister said that the government has initiated requisite measures for the development of prominent religious places to improve facilities for the pilgrims.She instructed the concerned officers to construct a toilet complex and a kitchen in the community hall premises and also directed for extension of the hall to cater the needs of the locals.Highlighting Government’s initiatives, the Minister implored upon the locals to avail the maximum benefit of several schemes launched by the centre and the state government for the welfare of the people. She said that the present government has done some remarkable work with initiating prestigious projects like IIT and Food Craft Institute (FCI) that proved to be decisive factor for the development of Nagrota and adjoining areas.
Responding to demands put forth by the locals regarding various development issues in the area, the Minister assured them that all their genuine demands would be looked into on priority and directed the concerned officials to take all necessary measures to address their issues at the earliest.The Minister also paid obeisance at Mata Kali Temple.Locals hailed the Minister for initiating much needed development works in Dansal area.Later, the Minister visited Surinsar area and called for preservation of sensitive eco system of Surinsar Lake. Priya asked the concerned authorities for developing infrastructural facilities to attract more tourist footfalls.“Surinsar has tremendous potential to emerge as important tourist halt in the region”, she maintained.The Minister was accompanied by ACD Jammu, Tasir Balwan, BDO Dansal, Muktar Lone, Tehsildar Dansal, Saima Khan along with XEN Tourism, Pramod Sharma , senior politicians Nand Kishore Sharma and Omi Khajuria, female social activist Sheetal besides officers of concerned departments.