KUPWARA: Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today visited the Kupwara district during which he carried series of activities and reviewed the developmental profile of the district with PRIs and administration.
Asgar Samoon, who is also Mentor Secretary for Kupwara District, on reaching here inaugurated the main block of Polytechnic College, Karihama in presence of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kupwara Khalid Jahangir; Principal of the College; DGM, JKPCC and concerned officers. He went around the area of the college and inspected lecture halls, workshops, laboratories and under-construction blocks of the college.
He was informed that Rs 13 crore has been expended on the execution of the college complex so far against a total cost of Rs 1935.89 lakh. He directed the executing agency to ensure the completion of other blocks within the target period.
Pr. Secretary inspected AYUSH Health and Wellness Centre at Gushi and reviewed its functioning. He was informed that Cupping and leeching therapies are available in the Centre, bedsides, Yoga and consultation. He asked for providing of quality medicines in the Health Centre.
Asgar Samoon also inspected Dug Well Water Supply Scheme Gushi and asked concerned officers to expedite the work.
Pr. Secretary laid the foundation stone of Amrit Sarovar Band-Wader Nagri.
Dr. Asgar Samoon also visited ITI Kupwara and inspected its functioning.
Later, the Principal Secretary chaired a joint meeting of PRIs and Officers of District Administration and reviewed the developmental profile of the district.
Chairman DDC Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori; Vice-Chairman DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir; Various Heads of the departments, ADDC Kupwara, ADC Handwara, Presidents of MC Kupwara, Handwara and Langate, DDC Members, BDC Chairpersons, besides, District and Sectoral officers attended the meeting.
Asgar Samoon said that the Government is committed to providing quality services to the public in addition to basic facilities of Power, Water, Road, Health and Education. He said Kupwara district has tremendous scope for the development of dairy/sheep farming, Horticulture, Handicrafts and Tourism. He stressed upon the elected representatives and officers to work in tandem so that the Kupwara district, which is marching towards prosperity, comes up as the number one district.
He said education is the game-changer for a prosperous society and it is high time that we should take lead by giving quality education to the youth. He directed CEO Kupwara to rationalize the teaching staff in various schools of the district within the shortest span of time.
Asgar Samoon also reviewed the functioning of ITIs and gave spot directions to the Superintendents of ITI Kupwara, Handwara and Tangdar for further improvement in the functioning of the Institutes.
Reviewing the surface communication, the Principal Secretary directed to make immediately DPRs for the construction of roads of all 43 unconnected habitations in border areas within a week’s time and asked Chief Engineer for its timely approval. The Deputy Commissioner assured the Principal Secretary that he will facilitate the land acquisition in this matter in a time-bound manner.
Reviewing the Health sector, the Principal Secretary asked for expediting of construction of Medical College Handwara. He also reviewed the progress of various projects coming up in the NABARD funding.
The Principal Secretary reviewed various other sectors including Jal Shakti and directed the concerned officers to expedite the work.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Khalid Jahangir briefed the chair through PowerPoint Presentation and informed the chair that Rs.1335.97 lakh have been expended under the District CAPEX budget out of the released 50% fund of Rs.8298.46 lakh. The total CAPEX outlay for the current financial year is Rs.1598.23 crore, he added.
Earlier, Chairman DDC, Vice Chairman DDC, Presidents of Municipal Committees, DDC Members and BDC Chairpersons also spoke and projected developmental issues of their respective constituencies.
The Principal Secretary heard their issues and resolved many issues on the spot while for other issues; he gave directions to the concerned officers.
On the occasion, PRIs complimented the best work done by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara in providing better public services in the district. Replying to the queries of DDC Members, the Deputy Commissioner informed the chair that 4 mobile towers shall be constructed at Z-Gali and Chontiwari and other 2 places to provide mobile connectivity to the Machill area which shall be completed within 2 months.
