POONCH: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at the main Independence Day function held at Sports Stadium Poonch and assured all possible assistance to families affected by recent heavy rains in the district.
The Minister took the salute at a ceremonial parade comprising contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, India Reserve Police (IRP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Forest Protection Force, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and school students.
Addressing the gathering, Rana paid tributes to freedom fighters and national leaders and called upon citizens to contribute towards building an inclusive and prosperous nation.
Highlighting development works in the district, he said Rs 6,716.84 lakh was made available under the District Capex Budget during 2025-26, of which Rs 5,519.28 lakh, or 82.17 per cent, has been utilised.
The Minister said Rs 640.41 crore has been allocated for strengthening the power sector, with expenditure of Rs 528.59 crore and around 72 per cent of the work completed. The project is expected to add 37.5 MW of capacity and benefit nearly 22,000 consumers.
He also highlighted the widening and macadamisation of the 198-km Poonch-Akhnoor road and other connectivity projects. According to the Minister, 520 km of roads have been taken up for widening, including 170 km under road connectivity programmes, while five National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)-funded schemes have been completed at a cost of Rs 1,710.33 lakh.
On rural development, Rana said Rs 80 crore has been approved under the VB-GRAM-G scheme, generating 83,124 person-days between January and June this year. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), 49,079 houses have been completed against a target of 49,254, while 55,698 additional houses have been identified through a new survey.
Referring to water supply projects, he said 132 Jal Jeevan Mission schemes are under implementation in the district, with 18 completed and 42 nearing completion. So far, 84,791 of the district’s 1,07,048 households have been provided tap water connections. Under AMRUT 2.0, Rs 84.58 crore has been approved for upgrading the water supply system in Poonch town.
The Minister said the government remains committed to the welfare of tribal communities and implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He said Forest Rights Act cells have been established in Deputy Commissioners’ offices and proposals for Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Mendhar and Surankote have been submitted to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
He also highlighted agriculture and rural infrastructure initiatives, including distribution of 77.02 lakh saplings, sanction of a Rs 169-crore road project under the J&K Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, and progress on the Mandhi bypass and Dharamrahi-Mandi road projects.
Under PM-KISAN, Rs 16.42 crore has been released for 41,067 farmers, while social welfare assistance is being provided to 62,512 widows, elderly persons and specially-abled beneficiaries. Financial support is also being extended to 890 children from economically weaker families for education.
Rana said free ration is being provided to 70,902 households covering more than 3.11 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Anna Kalyan Yojana.
Referring to the recent rain-related damage, the Minister said 22 people lost their lives and 366 houses were damaged in the district. He said restoration of five motorable roads is underway and work to restore damaged roads, bridges, drinking water schemes and electricity infrastructure has been taken up on priority.
The Minister called upon youth to participate in nation-building through education, skill development, entrepreneurship and innovation, and reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
Among those present were MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, Principal District and Sessions Judge Sushil Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Hussain Bhat, senior civil, police and Army officers, and members of the public.
The function concluded with felicitation of officers, officials and individuals for their contributions in various fields.
