Union Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani today conducted public meetings at village Moori of Dheeti Panchayat and at Spritual Growth Centre here today.Addressing a huge crowd near Middle School Moori, Smriti Irani congratulated the locals for participating in huge numbers in parliamentary as well as Urban Local Bodies elections in the recent past. She also congratulated the administration for successfully conducting the elections.The Union Minister also passed directions for on-spot resolution of several demands raised at the occasion which were readily accepted by the district administration. A steel foot bridge over Junnie Nallah was also inaugurated by the minister at the occasion earlier in the day.At another public meeting at Katra, the Union Minister met with elected members of Katra Municipal Committee, Panchs-Sarpanchs of block Katra, prominent citizens and a large number of students among locals. She also inaugurated road from Paroh-Arli and Kadmal-Dhanna roads through e-inauguration.In her welcome address, the DC said that Reasi has a huge potential for organic farming and progressive farmers are already taking up cultivation of lemongrass, a highly profitable cash crop. Block Development Council chairpersons and sarpanchs of blocks Pintail and Katra also welcomed the Union Minister and raised development issues.
In a response to public demand for opening a textile unit in the district, the Union Minister assured that a suitable unit would be set up immediately after a formal request by the district administration.Counting achievements of the central government, Smriti said that more than 8 lakh farmers are being benefitted under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Similarly, around 24 thousand saffron growers have benefitted under National Saffron Mission till date in J&K. She said that under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, more than 12 lakh gas cylinders have been distributed to poor households of the Union Territory.It was also told by the Union Minister that 3.5 lakh cards have been distributed, of over 11 lakh identified, under the ambitious Ayushman Bharat Yojana through which 50 thousand residents of the UT have already benefitted. She also told that more than 140 district and sub-district level hospital projects have been identified for up-gradation in Jammu & Kashmir in addition to the two upcoming AIIMS with an allocated budget of Rs 2 thousand crore.Appreciating the enthusiasm of people of J&K towards Panchayati Raj and other democratic institutions, Smriti said that with dialogue and participation of people, all things are possible. ‘A new wave of development has just begun’, she added.