PULWAMA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the development scenario in Pulwama district and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth more than ₹86 crore across various sectors.
Chairing a district review meeting, Abdullah assessed progress in health, education, rural development, social welfare, infrastructure, housing, horticulture, power, Jal Shakti, animal husbandry, industries and other sectors.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Basharat Qayoom presented an overview of departmental performance and key development initiatives in the district.
During the meeting, legislators from the district raised local issues and sought government intervention on matters concerning their constituencies. The Chief Minister assured them that the concerns would be examined.
Projects worth ₹23.12 crore were inaugurated, including the New Type Primary Health Centre at Ratnipora, augmentation of the Ratnipora water supply scheme, the Primary Health Centre at Newa, road restoration works, school infrastructure projects in Rajpora and Tral, a milk village project at Sangerwani and a bridge over Lam Nallah.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹63 crore, including road upgrades, bridges over Romshi Nallah and Batagund, a pasteurised compost unit at Kakapora and a ruminant-cum-disease diagnostic centre in Pulwama.
Abdullah directed departments to expedite ongoing works, citing the approaching end of the working season. He also instructed officials to ensure timely physical and financial completion of projects funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Highlighting Pulwama’s significance in saffron cultivation and milk production, the Chief Minister called for greater focus on dairy value addition. He directed departments to formulate projects aimed at processing raw milk into higher-value products and strengthening cooperative models to improve farmers’ incomes and generate employment opportunities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Sakina Itoo, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, legislators from the district, senior civil administration officers and departmental heads.
