Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 29: Describing bridges as key component of rural infrastructure, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today promised to break new ground in annihilating distances and adding value to life of people living in remote and inaccessible areas of the state.
She congratulated the Rural Development Department (RDD) and DDC, Udhampur, Shahid Iqbal, for their trend-setting initiative by adopting the Convergence Model. “Today we are witnessing at Udhampur what Mufti Sayeed had envisioned during the DDB meetings when he used to emphasize upon Convergence Models to create sustained infrastructure,” she stated.
The Chief Minister made these observations while addressing a huge gathering of people after e-inaugurating 56 small bridges (footbridges) under Project Rahat, here today. She also inaugurated Model Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, as part of the Model School Scheme of the Education Department.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal K. Singh, Minister for Rural Development, Law & Justice, Abdul Haq Khan, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, Legislators, Pawan K. Gupta, D. N. Baghat and R. S. Pathania were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Udhampur district has shown the way in how convergence model can be put together to create assets worth crores. She said other Deputy Commissioners need to take a cue from Udhampur in convergence so that these are replicated in all the districts of the State.
Seeking people’s cooperation in putting J&K firmly on the path of development by good governance, the Chief Minister said the Coalition Government wants to bring the three distinct regions of the State together on one platform so that it reaches out to over one billion people of the country unitedly.
“If we are able to gel the three regions together, only then will we be able to turnaround the State on the development front,” she said, while praising the pluralistic values of the people, whom she called the torchbearers of communal harmony and brotherhood.
Drawing the attention of the people towards the industrial scenario in the State, the Chief Minister said she has flagged ‘Skill Development’ as a major area of intervention. She said I&C Department will start mapping skills of local human resource as per the requirement of the big investors who venture into the state.
Appreciating the Model School Scheme launched by the State Education Department to provide students access to e-learning, Mehbooba Mufti said all District Hospitals will be upgraded as Model Hospitals in the State, adding one Maternity-cum-Childcare Hospital will be set up in each constituency of the State.
In his address, Dr. Singh, said that present Government is standing on the strong foundation laid by former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. “People have great expectations from us and we assure you that with full support of the Centre, we will fulfill all the promises made with the people,” he added.
Naeem Akhtar, in his speech, gave a brief insight into how the department is rationalizing so that shortage of staff in far-flung and remote areas is addressed on priority. He said the present Government is committed to put the Education sector back on rails by putting a permanent end to the transfer industry that had plagued the department.
The RDD Minister gave a brief overview of the Project Rahat and assured the Chief Minister of replicating the model in other districts of the State.
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