Principal Secretary Animal, Sheep and Fisheries Department, Dr Asghar Hassan Samoon, today chaired a meeting to review the developmental works of Gurez sub-division.The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Director School Education Kashmir, Chief Engineer PDD Kashmir, Director General Youth Services and Sports, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Director Fisheries, Special Secretary Education Department, CMO Bandipora, SE R&B Bandipora, SE PHE Bandipora and other concerned.During the meeting, Dr Samoon reviewed the status of various developmental projects being executed in the area under different sectors.While pitching for optimal promotion of Gurez as tourism destination, Dr Samoon stressed on upgradation of tourism infrastructure including expansion of TRC at Dawar, opening of TRC at Tulail, face lifting of existing Dak bungalows at Bagtore and Dawar, and completion of Dak Bugalow buildings at Kanzalwan/Dawar.He also asked the officers to introduce ATVs/motor-boats/shikaras/house boats in Kishanganga dam site to promote tourism activities. Stating that Gurez offers vast meadows for rearing of livestock, the Principal Secretary directed the officers of Animal, Sheep and Fisheries Department to organise mega camps for setting-up of units in respective areas besides camps in various areas for distribution of livestock, medicines, equipments and vaccines.With regard to education infrastructure in the area, Dr Samoon directed timely completion of ongoing works and further infrastructure buildup to meet the needs of the respective areas.
He also directed the officers to work on required modalities for setting up vocational training colleges particularly nursing school for girls besides establishment of a Degree College in Tulail and upgradation of Government HSSS at Izammarg.The Director General Youth Services and Sports apprised the meeting that playfields would be established in the schools besides organising tournaments of different games for promotion of sports activities in the area.Regarding the power infrastructure, Chief Engineer PDD informed the meeting that upgradation of mega power distribution network is going on and will be completed by next year. He also informed that Diesel Generator sets will also be setup in hospitals to cope with the shortage of electricity in winters.Stressing on equipping hospitals with required machinery and stocking medicines for the winter, Dr Samoon asked for assessment of all required materials so that there is no shortage in winters. He also advised for deployment of doctors and other paramedical staff in required numbers in sub-centres and hospitals.Dr Samoon also asked Deputy Commissioner Bandipora for fixing modalities for setting up more mobile communication networks in the area.The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora gave overall profile of the activities undertaken after the visit of Chief Secretary during Back-to-Village programme in Gurez.