AKHNOOR: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma on Wednesday inaugurated extension/renovation park, near irrigation colony in Akhnoor, constructed at a cost of Rs.207 lakh by Irrigation Division Akhnoor. He also distributed cheques worth Rs.6 lakh among 902 beneficiaries under old-age and widow pension schemes by the Social Welfare Department.
After inaugurating the park the minister said that the Jammu and Kashmir state is known for its scenic splendor across the globe and maintained that there were lot of unexplored beautiful areas which need to be projected at the national and international levels for attracting tourist and pilgrims adding that government is making all out efforts to highlight such areas for the economic development.
For facilitating the pilgrims and tourists the government has created modern line wayside facilities in various sectors in the areas like recreational garden, parks, landscaping, view point, toilet blocks, fencing, illumination, drinking water besides construction of recreational parks near the right banks of river Chenab, he added.
The minister said that during last near about six years unprecedented development has been witnessed in the State. He said that during this period several projects pertaining in PHE irrigation, education, health and power have been taken in hand and completed and some development projects is near about completion. He asked the executive agencies to make optimum use of funds and complete the projects in a time bound manner. He said that further development of hilly and a border area was on the top priority of the development agenda of the government.
Sham said that government is keen to reach out to people in every area, address their grievance and accommodate the demands in a phased manner to ensure holistic and integrated development of every region of the state. He said panchayat would prove an effective fool in this regard. “Panchayats would determine the schemes formulate plans and executive works as per the requirement of the areas under the jurisdiction”, he added.
He said that development of Akhnoor town is receiving priority in policy planning and various development projects like 100 bedded hospital, mini-secretariat, Bsc College, Ayurvedic College, Novodhya Vidyalaya, Jio Pota Gulab Singh library and preservation of Akhnoor Fort and Ambaraian are in full swing.
Referring to works taken up at the right bank of river Chenab including Jio Pota Ghat. He said that the government is making every effort to restore the pristine glory of heritage sites and steps are being taken to show case those to attract the tourist as well as local. He said a comprehensive plan for Rs.2,472 crore for channelization the river Chenab submit it to Central Water Commission for funding.
Sham said that access to safe drinking water and road connectivity is the right of every common masses and the government is committed to provide these facility to the people.
On the occasion, Vice Chairman, OBC, Kuldeep Raj Verma also spoke on the occasion has called for attitudinal change in the mind set of people to protect the right of women folk in the society so that they can contribute in the socio-economic development of state without any fear and stress. He called for promotion of moral ethics and values in the society.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, H C Jerath, SE Hydraulic, Rajeev Malhotra, SDM Akhnoor, Executive Engineer, PHE, I and FC, Ex-engineer Mech Irrigation, R C Bangotra, sectoal officers of various department, Sarpanch/Panch and local leaders.
