Ganderbal: Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Dairying, Animal Husbandry and Information and Broadcasting Dr. L Murugan today visited district Kulgam, and Minister of AYUSH, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal visited Ganderbal as a part of the Central government’s public outreach programme, an official press release informed.
It said during his review meeting with the officials of the district administration, Dr. L Murugan stated that the holistic development of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is the top priority of the Union government. He emphasized that the Prime Minister has taken the initiative of public outreach to assess the execution of developmental projects and the implementation of various welfare schemes at the ground level.
He said that the government is focused towards the improvement and modernisation of the tourism sector in the district which will serve as a measure of employment generation and economic upliftment of the region.
The minister took part in a series of events and activities during the extensive public outreach programme. He also visited different sites and took stock of the developmental scenario of the district.
On the first day of his visit, the minister reviewed the progress of flood protection works at Ariguntoo and also laid the foundation stone of Phase IV of the Flood Protection Bund which will come up with an estimated cost of 1 crore rupees. The Minister also inaugurated Amrit Sarovar at Checkpora, Kulgam and also interacted with local people. The minister was informed that under the Amrit Sarovar initiative, more than 270 Amrit Sarovars have been developed and rejuvenated in the district.
Besides these engagements, the minister also visited the Trout Fish Farm at Tchansar. He inspected the rearing units, machinery and other facilities available at the farms and interacted with the fish farmers.
Interacting with the fish farmers, the minister said that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, PMMSY, and as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign, the government is committed to promoting inland fishing in the country and special emphasis is being given to hilly areas.
He advised the farmers to adopt the latest technology in fish farming so that they can come up to the mainstream and meet the demands of consumption and also exports, particularly of fresh water fish.
Later, the minister visited the famous Aharbal waterfall, where he stocked the trout and carp seed in the Aharbal (Veshow) stream. The Minister also flagged off two mobile veterinary units from Aharbal.
He stated that the nation is witnessing holistic development and progress in every field, with the central government working in close coordination with state/UT governments. The minister appealed to young people to come forward and become a part of nation building.
The minister was apprised that the fisheries department has established hatcheries in all the districts and is supplying fingerling fish to the farmers. The Minister was also informed that sale centres have been established at various locations to increase the market availability of the trout.
Earlier he visited an integrated ultra high density farm at Modargam and also interacted with progressive farmers here.
Dr. Murugan complimented the district administration for timely completion of the different projects. Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat; Director Animal Husbandry, Purnima Mittal; SSP Kulgam, Dr. G. V. Sandeep and other senior officers were present during the outreach programme.
In Ganderbal, Sarbananda Sonowal distributed financial assistance under various schemes including Higher Education Assistance by Labour department and Housing for All (Urban) amounting to Rs 12.35 lakh among the beneficiaries. He also handed over sanction letter under PMEGP, hearing aids, prosthetics and orthotics, wheel chairs, land passbooks, income certificates, Golden Cards, sports kits and sanction letters for construction of Trout and Carp fish ponds here at Mini Secretariat Ganderbal among the beneficiaries., the press release said
Earlier, the minister visited stalls installed by various departments to showcase their products and schemes being offered in the lawn of Mini Secretariat Complex Ganderbal.
The minister took a round of the stalls along with DDC Vice-Chairperson Bilal Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shyambir, Director AYUSH Dr. Mohan Singh, SSP Ganderbal Nikhil Borkar and other officers who keenly observed the local products and enquired about the schemes especially that offer livelihood opportunities to the locals.
Earlier, the minister also launched e-Rickshaw service in the town from Mini Secretariat Ganderbal.
Speaking to media persons on the occasion, the minister said that the Union government has given special focus to the UT of J&K and under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the development, peace and security are going at the same pace in the UT. He added that “we are fortunate to have such an able Prime Minister under whose guideline, India is becoming Atmanirbhar.”
Later, the minister visited Boys Higher Secondary School Manigam where he witnessed a Yoga session and also visited a herbal garden developed within the school premises.
Meanwhile, the minister also inaugurated a 3.2 km road from Khurhama to Chewa being constructed at a cost of Rs 222.90 lakh and road to Kachnambal from NHW via Chinner of length 3.65 km constructed at a cost of Rs 311.95 under PMGSY phase III.
On the occasion, the minister also visited the stalls installed by the Directorate of AYUSH in the lawn of BHSS Manigam which displayed various locally grown medicinal plants to overcome the nutritional deficiencies besides catering therapeutic uses.
The minister also distributed medicinal plants among the locals under AYUSH National Mission.
While interacting with the locals, the minister said that the Union government has taken various steps to ensure peace, development and security in J&K and in this regard, various schemes have been launched under the guidance of the Prime Minister. He sought cooperation of all towards fulfilling the dream of Narendra Modi for making India self-reliant.
