Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant has hailed the impressive progress made by district Baramulla and Kupwara in upgradation of basic amenities for the people under the Aspirational Districts Programme.Kant conducted an extensive tour of these north Kashmir districts on Saturday to personally take stock of the progress made under various developmental indicators under the Aspirational Districts Programme. He was accompanied by Joint Secretary, NITI Aayog, Rakesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary Planning, Development & Monitoring, Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Social Welfare, Cooperatives and Tribal Affairs, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, Secretary Youth Services & Sports and Information, Sarmad Hafeez, Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, Bhupinder Kumar, Director School Education Kashmir Dr G N Itoo and other concerned officers.Winding up his visit, Kant, in a series of tweets, lauded the performance in power, health, education, horticulture and skill development sectors in these districts. He hailed the commitment and dedication of the officers/officials for reaching out to the people and fulfilling their developmental needs.During his visit to Kupwara, NITI Aayog CEO visited various sites and inspected the developmental projects in Machil and Handwara areas. He also inspected the Water Reservoir constructed at Badkoot, Wadipora.
“Visited Kupwara district in Kashmir to review the progress of #aspirationaldistrict scheme. Delighted to meet local people & a highly motivated & committed team of officials led by Collector Khalid (Jahangir). District has made rapid progress in all indicators particularly health. Congrats!,” Kant tweeted.In another tweet Kant said; “Wonderful to see electricity reaching every single household after 71 years of independence in far flung #aspirationaldistrict of Kupwara in Kashmir. Great work under Saubhagya in a mission mode. This is bordering PoK & huge challenges have been overcome. Thanks 4 initiative @PMOIndia.”Regarding his visit to Pashmina Kani Shawl Weaving Center at Wadipora in Kupwara, Kant tweeted; “visited Pashmina Kani shawl weaving & training centre in Kupwara district of Kashmir. It’s a rare weaving heritage of Kashmir where gorgeous patterns/motifs are woven into Pashmina shawls. A group of four women take months to weave one shawl. Truly unique!”At Baramulla Kant inaugurated Dialysis Centre under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme at District Hospital Baramulla and a smart classroom with Computer Laboratory at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Baramulla.“Visited Baramulla #aspirationaldistrict of Kashmir. Amazing experience visiting the District hospital. It’s one of the finest, cleanest, most well equipped hospitals with a highly dedicated team of Doctors & staff. Delighted to inaugurate the Dialysis Centre.Gr8 work by district team,” he tweeted.The CEO assured full support from the central government for implementation of the activities identified for both the districts under the Aspirational District programme.