Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, today visited Beerwa and took stock of ongoing road projects and macadamization work in the town. The Minister also addressed a public gathering there.Ex-Legislator, Dr Shafi Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam Mir Altaf Ahmad, Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir S K Razdan, Managing Director, JKPCC, P L Bushan besides other senior officers of R&B and JKPCC accompanied the Minister.En-route, a large number of people met the Minister at Nasrullah Pora, Utligam, Chewdara, Rathsuns and Kanihama and demanded up-gradation, widening and macadamization of roads besides improvement in basic amenities including replacement of old electric poles. The people also raised issues pertaining to accommodation for Boys and Girls Higher Secondary schools, introduction of Commerce stream, posting of surgeon and Gynaecologists in SDH Beerwa, up-gradation of Beerwa bridge and interior road links and installation of mile stones.
While speaking at a gathering in Beerwa, the Minister said that coalition government has been formed to serve the people of the State. He said that the initiatives taken by present dispensation would transform the development scenario of the State, including the said constituency. He said present Government’s policy is focussed on uniform development of all areas without any political bias. He said Government is committed to fulfil all basic needs of the people and appealed them to extend their cooperation to the Govt and various executing agencies in taking forward developmental projects started in the area.Syed Altaf said that the development system set up by the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during 2002 tenure has been derailed by the previous regime and sought help of people in setting it right for overall benefit the people and development of the State. He said Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed is personally interested in development of Beerwa, adding that the developmental plans being framed by the department will definitely change outlook of the constituency. He said Government alone cannot bring a major change in the system, adding that people, as a social responsibility, should also play their role in the development process.
Referring to various initiatives of the Government for generating employment, the Minister asked youth to avail the benefits the Government schemes meant for setting up their own income generating units. “It is better for educated youth to go for establishing own income generating units rather wasting time in looking for casual and daily wager jobs” said the Minister, adding that this would help them become job providers instead of job seekers.
Regarding creation of Beerwa-Toosmaidan-Doodpathri tourist circuit, the Minister said that Government is putting in all efforts to develop and promote tourist destinations at a large scale in the State.Responding to demands of the people, the Minister instructed Chief Engineer to develop and upgrade the road at Nasrullah Pora. While talking to the people at Rathsuna, the Minister assured them that Rathsuna-Beerwa road would be macadamized in next plan and directed Chief Engineer to carry out filling of potholes formed on the said road link and Narbal-Gulmarg road, drainage at Chewdara, Utligame. He also instructed macadamization of Narbal-Gulmarg-Baramulla junction within next seven days.Earlier, Dr Shafi gave detailed account of the areas that require focussed attention of the Government and hoped that Government will look into their demands and address them on priority.