STATE TIMES NEWS
DODA: The village Hambal-A Block Khalleni was on Sunday declared as Open Defecation Free by Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievance, Pension, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh during a programme organised in the village.
Pertinently, this village has been adopted by the Union Minister to be developed as a model village under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
Member Legislative Assembly, Shakti Raj Parihar, Deputy Commissioner, Bhawani Rakwal besides officers of engineering departments, district officers and locals were present on the occasion.
Complimenting the people for this significant achievement, the minister attributed the credit of this accomplishment to the relentless campaign by various departments and above all an enthusiastic response and contribution extended by the locals.
He expressed optimism that the collective efforts of the government and the people will certainly lead successfully towards making Jammu and Kashmir an Open Defecation Free state soon.
The Union Minister, while addressing the rally, counted the achievements and initiatives of the Modi government in respect of J&K and lauded the cooperation being extended by the people on this account.
“People are the real judge of working and achievements of the government besides an equal stakeholder in growth and development of their respective areas”, the Minister asserted while emphasizing the role of public in effective implementation of government programmes.
Spelling out the government accomplishments in different sectors, the Minister highlighted establishment of AIIMS, IIMs, IITs, construction of Khalleni Sudh Mahadev Road and Rs. 3600 crore Chattergala tunnel, sanction of Express Corridor from Delhi-Jammu-Katra, the work on which will be started soon, sanction of Rs. 2800 crore project under PMGSY for improving road network in J&K, cleaning of Devika river under National River Conservation Project, Bio Tech park at Udhampur as some of major initiatives in this regard.
Responding to several demands raised by the local MLA and people, the Union Minister said that the Village would soon get a Bank, an ATM facility, PHC, upgraded Higher Secondary School, sports ground, ambulance etc. He also informed that Rs. 50 lakh have also been sanctioned for construction of four lanes and drains in Hambal village besides more solar lights would be provided to the villagers soon.
Singh asked the Deputy Commissioner to formulate a comprehensive project proposal under RUSA for establishment of a Degree College in the district.
The Union Minister exhorted upon the youth to raise awareness among the people about the government schemes envisaging socio-economic empowerment of under privileged segments of the society.
MLA, while speaking on the occasion said that the work on receiving station Goha, Marmat will be started soon besides construction work on various roads is being done expeditiously to improve road connectivity in the district. Besides, schools are being upgraded in the village to ensure quality education to students, he added.