STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the DISHA meeting with the district administration and various departments to address critical issues affecting Kathua, including illegal mining, infrastructure projects, and rising drug addiction.
Dr. Singh issued firm instructions to combat illegal mining in the region, highlighting its threat to vital national infrastructure, such as the Keerian Gadiyal bridge and the expressway corridor.
These projects, which are of immense national importance, have been secured through the direct intervention and patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr. Singh emphasized that allowing illegal mining to jeopardize these projects would be a shame and unacceptable.
The Minister called on the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and District Mining Officer to provide a report on illegal mining cases.
He questioned the reduction in fines for illegal miners, which had lowered the financial deterrent, thereby encouraging such illegal activities. Dr. Singh stressed that anyone involved in illegal mining-regardless of their political or social position-should be strictly dealt with, publicly named, and shamed.
Dr. Singh also addressed the growing menace of drug addiction in the region. He proposed the formation of a joint community comprising the district administration, police authorities, public representatives, and civil society members to curb the spread of drug abuse at multiple levels.
In a positive development, Dr. Singh announced the revival of the Ujh Multipurpose Project, conceived nearly a century ago by the then Maharaja in the 1920s. The project has received new impetus due to the intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, aiming to utilize the river Ujh to check infiltration and provide irrigation to thousands of hectares of land. The project is set to transform agriculture in the region, potentially irrigating up to 90,000 hectares.
The Minister also provided an update on the Shahpur Kandi Project, a national project that has been revised after four decades with the support of Prime Minister Modi. The last phase of the project is set to be completed by September 15, after which water will begin flowing for electricity generation.
Dr. Singh highlighted the forthcoming industrial biotech park in Barnoti, which is poised to be North India’s first such facility. The park will offer significant job opportunities, particularly in bio-manufacturing and hospital instruments. Additionally, the Government Medical College in Kathua is being upgraded to provide more advanced cancer treatment, including radiation services in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai.
The long-standing demand for the Bala Sundri tunnel was also addressed, with a new road project linking Lakhanpur to Doda via Chattra Gala Tunnel, expected to reduce travel time significantly. Furthermore, Kathua has become the first district to implement a family bunker system in border villages, with nearly 3,000 bunkers planned. Dr. Singh also announced the approval of North India’s first-ever Homeopathy College, which will cater to neighboring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The meeting reviewed several flagship schemes, including PMGSY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, PMAY, Samagra Shiksha, PM SVANidhi, PM MUDRA Yojana, MNREGA, Ayushman Bharat, and projects in Horticulture and Animal Husbandry.
The meeting was attended by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, other district MLAs, and senior officers from the district administration.