Union Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries, Krishan Pal Gurjar today visited district Reasi and took stock of various projects in the district. The visit comes as part of the Government's public outreach programme for J&K.The Minister inspected the Salal power project wherein the officers gave a power-point presentation to him. He appreciated the activities being undertaken by the NHPC, under Corporate Social Responsibility, and also planted sapling in Jyotipuram Housing Colony during the visit.With respect to instituting an elected government in the region, the minister said that the Centre is already working hard to make ground for robust democracy in J&K. “We have successfully conducted unprecedented BDC and DDC elections in this regard”, said the minister. He said further democratic initiatives would be taken as the conditions improve.Talking to media persons, the Minister said that the UT government and the Centre are working on multiple projects to raise the power generation capacity of the region two-fold within the next five years. It is the mission of PM Narendra Modi to turn J&K into a power surplus state within this short period, he said. The minister further said that the Government is working expeditiously in multiple sectors including roads, railways, and funding numerous developmental projects in J&K.Allaying apprehensions about privatisation and surge in electricity rates in the future, the Minister assured that all economic factors would be considered to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir get quality power supply at cheap rates.The minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary Power Development, Rohit Kansal, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Charandeep Singh, General Manager NHPC, Nana Ram and SP Reasi, Surjit Singh among other senior district officers.