Advisors to Governor K Skandan and K.K Sharma today stressed on doubling the income of village households through skill upgradation of locals and promotion of composite farming.The Advisors who were on a tour to Reasi district were speaking at a meeting convened to review the performance of district administration, and district’s developmental scenario.At the outset, a detailed presentation was given by Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib through which she highlighted development activities in the district.Advisor K Skandan laid stress on doubling the income of village households. He also asked district officers to identify skill deficiency and develop particular skill sets among the natives. The Advisor asked to lay thrust on developing niche industry to promote local produce. Skandan also asked the district administration to work out a plan to promote horticulture, fisheries and floriculture activities in the district. He also advocated for hiring resource persons from outside J&K to help these sectors flourish.Reviewing the development activities and issues hampering some major sectors, Advisor KK Sharma directed the DC to identify bottlenecks and sort out fund issues at the earliest. He assured full assistance by the government in early resolution of the issues. The Advisor directed the Forest department to grant prompt permissions regarding land clearance for road projects.After detailed discussion and examination of reports presented by various departments, the two Advisors listened to people’s issues.
Delegations from Pouni, Thakrakote, Mahore, Gulabgarh and various other blocks raised their issues and grievances. Delegations from Municipal Committees of Katra and Reasi were also present.Advisor KK Sharma appreciated the role of district administration and police department in maintaining peace. The Advisor assured that the pace of development, particularly remote areas, would increase unprecedentedly. He assured that special attention would be paid towards minority affairs, skill development and development of basic amenities like drinking water and road connectivity to villages under PMGSY.Advisor Sharma also highlighted the success of the government’s Back to Village programme and said that the ambitious project has led to penetration of good governance at village level. He added that Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for clearance of some stalled projects, highlighted during the Back to Village programme. “A roadmap for development of drinking water, power development, road connectivity etc has already been shared with the district administration”, he added.The Advisor also appreciated the role of district administration in rainwater harvesting by digging percolation pits in each panchayat. He expressed pleasure on being told that more than 1 crore litre water has been harvested this monsoon season through the initiative.Those present at the public darbar also included ADDC Ramesh Chander, SSP Rashmi Wazir, ACD Sunil Sharma, ACR Vivek Puri among other district officers.The Advisors also planted saplings at the district headquarters.