Govt committed for development of hilly regions: Veeri

Reviews implementation of Shopian DDB meeting decisions

          SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 24: Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Abdul Rehman Veeri today reiterated the commitment of the Government to ensure holistic development of hilly regions of the State.

          The Minister was speaking at District Development Board (DDB) of Shopian here to review the implementation its decisions.

          The meeting was attended by MLA Shopian Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmed Mir, and MLC Zaffar Akbar Manhas. The Meeting was also attended by DDC Shopian Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Departmental heads, Chief Engineers and District Officers of the Shopian district.

          During the meeting, Veeri called upon the concerned officers to put in their best efforts to achieve the targets well in time and implement all the decision of the Board in letter and spirit for the overall benefit of the public.

          He stressed on concrete progress on all the decisions taken during the last board meeting for ensuring their timely implementation.

          The meeting was informed that Rs 5 crore District Hospital Building will be completed in May next year and fencing work of hospital is also in progress.

          The Minister was also informed that widening of road from Bonabazar to Habdipora is underway and Rs 2.25 crore land compensation has been allotted to the rightful owners.  

          It was also said that NABARD funded mega fruit mandi project worth Rs 17.80 crore has been approved, and construction of flood protection wall is under progress.

          District Development Commissioner, Aijaz Ahmed Khan briefed the Minister that three parking slots have been identified in the district to ease the traffic mess.

          The meeting was also informed that Reshnagri Bridge has been modified from single lane to double lane besides DPR worth Rs 4.40 crore has been prepared for construction of an additional block of circuit house.

          The DDC also said that much progress has been achieved in health sector as well which includes construction of NTPHC Gatipora  and Takia Imam, which is in final stages of completion, funds have been released for procurement of Critical care Ambulance, Digital X-ray and CT Scan for district hospital.

          The meeting also discussed the establishment of 10-bedded Ayush District Hospital with the staff creation besides creation of PHE Sub-division at Zainapora, creation of Flood Control Division at Shopian, creation of Mechanical Division at Shopian, which are under active consideration of the Government.

          The DDC also presented an overall picture of Budget allocation and expenditure occurred under various heads which include Rs 27 crore under regular schemes, Rs 7.90 crore under NABARD, Rs 14.60 crore central share, 2.43 crore state share for Centrally Sponsored Schemes(CSS).

          In the Engineering Sector, The meeting was told that Rs 549.8 crore was the Capex budget for the district which included Rs 21.6 crore in PHE, Rs 6.84 crore in minor irrigation, Rs 149.75 in R&B, Rs 0.45 crore in Energy(Power), Rs 0.15 in Urban development, Rs 0. 72 in NFB, Rs 22.34 crore in MGNREGA, and Rs 5.31 in IAY.

          MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmed Mir raised various issues regarding implementation of health, roads, water supply, irrigation, rural development schemes in his constituency.