Governance for all and not for a select few: LG
Reiterates resolve to strengthen connectivity in border villages
Jammu: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said his administration is working on the principle of “governance for all” and not for a select few as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects to accelerate the development in the border district of Poonch.
“Poonch is our pride and several steps are being taken to transform its ecological richness and evolve innovative and ecologically sustainable ways of promoting tourism that will provide greater thrust to other economic activities,” Sinha said.
The LG said the special focus of administration is on development of border villages by ensuring effective implementation of projects under Border Area Development Programme, Samridh Seema Yojana and Aspirational Block.
“We are working on the principle of governance for all and not for a select few. Dedicated efforts are being made to establish a corruption free, drug free and job-oriented society,” Sinha said.
He said no “more sales of jobs” will be allowed in J&K.
“All the culprits in the alleged irregularities in recruitment examination of Sub-Inspector, Financial Account Assistant and Junior Engineer will be punished severely,” Sinha said.
The Lt Governor inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects worth Rs 195 cores to accelerate the development of 229 Panchayats in Poonch.
On his arrival, Sinha inaugurated hockey astro turf and a boxing hall and dedicated the facilities to the youth and sportspersons of the district, an official spokesman said.
He launched projects worth Rs 78.80 Crores for the welfare of tribal communities and observed that several infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, power sub-stations, smart class rooms and model villages will spearhead the cause of sustainable rural development.
Fourteen Van Dhan Vikas Kendras will create local facilities for value addition to traditional forest products and empower tribal community, Sinha said, adding various other benefits extended to small farmland owners, people living in border villages will infuse a sense of self-confidence.
Addressing the people of the district who were gathered at the Sports Stadium in large numbers, the Lt Governor said, “It is our firm resolve to strengthen the connectivity in border villages. 14 road projects worth Rs 50 crore launched today will bring prosperity and help in overall development of the area”.
Twenty mobile towers and a trauma centre to come up soon in Poonch, he announced.
The LG highlighted that in the last two years, the administration has tried diligently to ensure that the benefits of infrastructure and social welfare reach even the remotest villages of this border district.
“Last year, a total of 1,734 projects were completed in Poonch which exceeded the target set in the district capex. This year, under the district capex budget, Rs 924 crore was allocated to the district for development works and out of 1,412 projects taken up this year, 80 percent work will be completed by October 31,” he said.
On the occasion, the LG also paid homage to Padma Shri Mali- a female member of Gujjar Community who saved Poonch in 1971 war.
As a tribute to her invaluable contribution to the country, Government Degree College, Mandi will be named after her, he announced.
The LG said, as a significant step towards tapping the immense tourism potential of the district, the project of tourist infrastructure development of Noori Chhamb under Prime Minister’s Development Package was also inaugurated.
Observing that Tribal community awaited social justice for years, he said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, various schemes have been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and today every tribal family has been granted their long due constitutional rights.
Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP), skill development for tribal youth has been started in Poonch and two batches of training have been completed.
“The Government is bearing the expenses of the coaching for young boys and girls of the tribal community for the civil services, J&K Administrative Service examination, NEET, JEE examination,” he said, adding there will be no shortage of funds for those youths who aspire to become entrepreneurs.
Addressing the demands of the public representatives and people of Poonch, the LG assured that Mendhar, Poonch Mini Secretariat will be completed soon.
Power capacity of various areas of Poonch including Chandak, Mendhar, Loran will also be augmented to cater to the needs of the people.
Later, the LG handed over sanction letters to various beneficiaries under several schemes and also inspected stalls installed by various stakeholders on the occasion.
The Rs 45 crore worth projects inaugurated by LG today include – Hockey Astro Turf at HSS Poonch costing Rs 5 cr; construction of Boxing Hall building at Sports Stadium Poonch worth Rs 30 lakh; development of Noori Chamb as Tourist Spot, Buffliaz in Surankote at a cost of Rs 3.95 cr; 50m span Bridge at Behramgala costing Rs 2.17 cr; Government Degree College Auditorium Building at Poonch at a cost of Rs 4.55 cr; Bridge at Mendhar under CRF costing Rs 13.40 cr; Government Middle School Jaranwali Gali Mendhar and Nari under JTFRP worth Rs 99 lakh and 1.14 cr respectively; road from Ratti Jabri to Lower Sanjote via Kachar Mohalla Qazian costing Rs 2.19 cr; improvement of road from Chandak to Shri Budha Amarnathji Shrine Mandi at a cost of Rs 11.66 cr.
Projects worth Rs 151.23 cr for which LG laid the foundation stone include- Construction of Residential accommodation of District Development Council/ PRIs at Poonch worth Rs 7.25 cr, DDC office Poonch at a cost of Rs 2.57 cr, BDC office buildings at Buffliaz & Mendhar costing Rs 97 lakhs each; 14 road projects under NABARD worth Rs 50 cr; Construction of Gujjar & Bakerwal Hostels at Surankote, Mendhar, Loran & Mankote costing 3.75 cr each; 49 Model Villages under PMAAGY worth 49 cr; Cluster Model Village convergence with PMAAGY at a cost of Rs 10 cr; creation of Power Sub-Stations costing Rs 1.50 cr; Smart Class Rooms in schools in Tribal areas costing Rs 1.20 cr; 14 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras worth Rs 2.10 cr and PMKSY WDC 2.0 projects costing Rs 10.65 cr, an official press release informed.
