BUDGAM: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives, and Election departments, Javed Ahmad Dar, today chaired a review meeting in Budgam to assess the developmental landscape of the district.
The Minister reviewed progress on key ongoing and proposed projects like the establishment of a 125 bedded district hospital, 100 bedded critical care hospital at Reshipora, road infrastructure, new bus terminal at Chadoora, robust mobile connectivity at tourist destinations including Yousmarg and Doodhpathri besides the implementation of agriculture and allied sector schemes.
DDC Chairman, Nazir Ahmad Khan; MLA Beerwah, Dr. Shafi Wani; MLA Chadoora, Ali Mohammad Dar and MLA Khansahib, Saif-ud-Din Bhat also attended the meeting.
Emphasizing the importance of effective implementation of government schemes, the Minister underscored the need to ensure the successful execution of all central and UT-level initiatives including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), to maximise the beneficiary coverage. He asserted the significance of raising awareness about all government schemes and called for taking all public welfare initiatives directly to the people to ensure that benefits reach every citizen. He instructed to bring more vibrancy to ensure prompt services to the general public.
Reviewing the status of brick kilns in the district, the Minister directed that their operations must be streamlined and conducted strictly as per the prescribed guidelines. He issued strict instructions that no illegal brick kiln operation is allowed in the district.
Addressing the status of milk cooperatives, the Minister instructed the officials to organize agriculture awareness camps and fairs to educate the farmers about various government schemes.
Highlighting the significance of grassroots governance, the Minister directed that MLAs must be actively involved in the planning and decision-making processes for their respective constituencies. He further instructed the government officials to frequently visit the field, interact with the public and proactively address ground-level local concerns.
The Minister further called for holistic development across Budgam district, emphasising key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture and allied units and connectivity be given priority. He asserted that the development particularly in rural areas be carried out in harmony with ecological balance and no environmental degradation should occur under the pretext of development anywhere in the district.
During the meeting, the legislators raised constituency-specific demands and issues, urging time-bound resolution of public concerns.
The demands and issues raised by the public representatives included the establishment of a trauma hospital in Magam, the construction of Dadina-Lakhipora road, the creation of vegetable mandis, new animal husbandry centres, village-level sale centres under the Ad Food scheme, the inclusion of Tosamaidan under Jal Jeevan Mission, improved connectivity for Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan, construction of an alternative road from Mujpathri to Doodhpathri, Mini Secretariat in Budgam, Women’s Degree College, Sub-University Campus and a cyber-surveillance system to monitor social media activities.
Responding to the public demands, the Minister assured that all their genuine concerns would be taken up with the relevant authorities for early resolution.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Akshay Labroo, briefed the Minister about the status of various key development projects and ongoing works in the district. He also deliberated about the implementation of welfare schemes and flagship programs for public welfare in the district.
Among others, the meeting was attended by the Director of Rural Development, the Chief Engineer of PWD (R&B) Kashmir, Heads of Departments (HODs) and district officers.
