Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma today chaired a meeting to review the feasibility of projects submitted by nodal officers under Phase-II of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II) for eight identified border villages of the district.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed a range of proposed projects aimed at improving infrastructure, livelihood opportunities and tourism potential in the border villages. The projects discussed included the plantation of fruit-bearing plants, tourist homestays, motorable bridges, wool processing units, milk storage units and milk processing units.
Emphasising the need for an integrated approach towards dairy development, the DC directed the officers concerned to explore the establishment of a common milk processing unit for four Vibrant Villages Sarya, Bhawani, Pukhrani and Kalal to ensure the optimum utilisation of resources and enhanced benefits to local dairy farmers.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed proposals for the development of a multipurpose stadium with a running track and the establishment of a pine needle collection unit for manufacturing cricket wickets, aimed at generating employment opportunities while promoting the sustainable utilisation of local resources.
Stressing the importance of promoting eco-friendly tourism, the DC directed the departments concerned to include eco-tourism camping sites in the project proposals to harness the untapped tourism potential of the area. The feasibility of various projects proposed for Chowkian, Chappardhara and Loharkota was also reviewed in detail, with directions issued for the timely submission of viable, need-based proposals.
The Deputy Commissioner further directed all district officers to undertake field visits to the Vibrant Villages and ensure 100 percent saturation of all eligible beneficiaries under centrally sponsored schemes. He instructed the designated nodal officers to submit detailed reports regarding the functioning and service delivery status of different departments for effective monitoring and intervention.
Among those present were Additional District Development Commissioner Malikzada Sheraz-ul-Haq, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ravi Kumar Sihag, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramkesh Sharma, Programme Officer (ICDS) Harpal Singh, Chief Planning Officer Maqsood Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner Development Auqil Naveed, Chief Education Officer Mohammad Hafeez, District Social Welfare Officer Abdul Raheem, Superintending Engineer (PWD), Chief Horticulture Officer, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Divisional Forest Officers and Block Development Officers.