Kupwara: Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Patil today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a dream to make Jammu and Kashmir the Switzerland of India, an official press release informed.
It said addressing a public meeting at Cheepora in Lolab valley of the frontier Kupwara district, the minister said that the “people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace-loving and it is because of the peaceful atmosphere that development is witnessing a sea-change in Kashmir”.
He said the Union government and LG’s administration “are making concerted efforts to rebuild J&K in every aspect and it is a matter of pleasure that corruption is drastically decreasing” in the Union Territory.
The minister enlisted various developmental programmes and welfare measures and asked people to take benefits of these centrally sponsored schemes, adding that while designing schemes, the Prime Minister has taken care of every section of the society. He said people are receiving financial assistance by direct transfer to their accounts.
Patil also said that there would be no scarcity of drinking water anywhere in Kupwara district as the ambitious programme under Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Har Ghar Nal Say Jal’ is progressing at a good pace.
Referring to the Tourism sector, the minister said that every spot of Kashmir is a tourist destination and the government is making all possible efforts to boost this sector in a big way. He said that Bungus in Kupwara district is emerging as a world-class tourist destination.
The minister appreciated the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for his efforts to develop/construct 400 Amrit Sarovars against the target of 70, which is a record of best performance. He asked the Deputy Commissioner to continue his best efforts in giving best service to the people of this frontier district.
Patil also said that he will pay special attention to Kupwara district being the Minister of Panchayati Raj and wished Kupwara to become number-one district in the UT in terms of development. He urged the PRIs, especially Sarpanches, to work more vigorously and vibrantly to earn development awards for their constituencies which are being given on the basis of qualitative development.
The vice-chairman DDC Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir also spoke on the occasion and projected developmental issues of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray presented vote of thanks on the occasion.
Earlier, on reaching Cheepora, the minister inspected the stalls displayed by various departments. The Minister took keen interest in the stalls and interacted with the organizers. He also distributed Golden Health Cards and Bank sanction letters among the beneficiaries.
Later, the minister inaugurated upgradation of Khumriyal Rang Road constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,397 lakhs.
The minister also inaugurated the Water Supply Scheme at Shortmuqam-Kuligam, completed at a cost of Rs 649.28 lakh.
The minister visited Amrit Sarovar at Vavoora Lolab, which was renovated at a cost of Rs 6.22 lakh.
The minister also laid the foundation stone of construction of 2 BHK flats for DDC members and BDC chairpersons.
Later in the afternoon, the minister met various delegations at DC Office Kupwara, who projected various developmental issues of their concerned areas.
The minister also assured various delegations that he will bring all major issues in the notice of LG Manoj Sinha for special consideration. He resolved many issues on the spot by giving directions to concerned officers and gave some valuable suggestions, the press release said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S.P Singh Baghel on the second day of his tour to Kupwara district today inspected various developmental works and reviewed the pace of progress, an official press release said.
It said the minister laid the foundation stone of a Water Supply Scheme (WSS) at Gulgam, Tangwari coming up at a cost of Rs 799.60 lakhs. The minister was informed that the WSS will be completed within 2023-24 and will provide clean water supply to the area. The scheme was approved under the programme ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’.
The minister also inaugurated the New Type Primary Health Centre at Gugloosa, Trehgam. The building was completed at a cost of Rs 187.50 lakhs.
On the occasion, the minister assured that he will take up the matter of additional funding for the PHC with the Lieutenant Governor for further improvement of the hospital.
The minister also visited Amrit Sarovar at Kani Dogar Sar. He informed that the Sar was constructed at a cost of Rs 9 lakh under convergence programme of 14th FC and MGNREGA.
The minister, while talking to the media, said that the Union government has been providing full flow of funds for development of J&K. He said “Kashmir witnessed the largest-ever tourist footfall during the current year which is itself a sign of peace”.
Chairman District Development Council Irfan Sultan Panditpori, concerned BDC chairperson, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, ACD, CMO and concerned officers were also present at the occasion.
