Jammu: Continuing the public outreach initiative of the Central Government, Union Minister for Steel Ramchandra Prasad Singh visited Akhnoor area of Jammu district today.
During the visit, the Minister inaugurated three recently completed projects amounting to Rs 581.88 lakhs which include Water Supply Scheme at Sungal Palyari, Block Akhnoor; Additional Block at Government Degree College Akhnoor and Panchayat Ghar at Sungal Lower-C Block Akhnoor. The Minister also distributed assistance under various schemes to different beneficiaries which included vehicles under MUMKIN, scooter and wheelchairs to specially-abled persons and tractors among other forms of assistance.
Addressing a public meeting at Government Higher Secondary School, Akhnoor, the Minister said that the outreach programme is result of the Prime Minister’s concern for the people of J&K. He said that the Government is focused on identifying the pulse of the public and therefore developing policies and schemes for bringing development to the doorstep of the general public at grass root level.
Lauding the people’s enthusiasm for the 3-tier PRI System, the Minister said that only by strengthening grass root democracy, the democracy can be truly empowered and a novel start has been initiated in J&K under the leadership of the Prime Minister. “We are working towards establishing peace and order in Jammu & Kashmir and only with durable peace, prosperity and progress shall prevail,” the Minister said.
Earlier the minister inspected stalls set up by various departments as part of “Block Diwas” highlighting various schemes being implemented in the district and showcasing the local heritage of handicraft and handloom products.
Those present at the event included DDC Chairperson Jammu Bharat Bhushan, President Municipal Council Akhnoor Surinder Sharma, Chairperson BDC Akhnoor Kiran Pawar, Member DDC Akhnoor Sharda Bhau, DC Jammu Anshul Garg, DDCs, BDCs, and among others.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Steel addressed a press conference at Jammu.
Appreciating the existing steel industry of Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister said that the Government is encouraging the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) owing to their potential to create maximum job avenues in the country.
He said that the New Industrial Policy-2021 will change the face of industrial development in J&K. The Minister emphasized that the policy is going to generate numerous job opportunities in the region.
The Minister further said that with the Government’s scrap policy, secondary steel production would be boosted. “The consumption of the steel is also going to increase due to the ongoing and upcoming developmental projects in the region thereby giving boost to the economy,” the Minister added.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Puneet Kansal; Chairman Steel Authority of India, Soma Mondal and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer among other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
