Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 1: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said the initiatives announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would go a long way in providing succor to the urban poor, senior citizens and women besides accelerating economic and industrial growth in the country.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at Mahanal in Kathua district here today after paying obeisance at Aapshambu.
Senior political leader, Mamta Singh, prominent citizens and senior officers of administration were present on the occasion.
While referring to the announcements made by the Prime Minister on eve of the new year in his address to the nation, the Deputy Chief Minister said the hike in Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna (PMAY) by 33 percent would ensure that the housing needs of urban poor are addressed to a large extent. He said 3 crore Kissan Credit Cards would also be converted into Rupay Cards which would give the freedom to the farmers to withdraw money or subscribe to any service without visiting the banks thereby saving their time and ensuring hassle-free services.
“NABARD funding which was to the tune of Rs 21000 crore is also being increased by additional Rs 2000 crore so that the agriculture related activities would get the required fillip. Similarly, the farmers who have taken loans from Central Cooperative Banks will get grace period for interest for first sixty days which would be borne by the government”, the Deputy Chief Minister said and maintained that 3 percent subvention on interest rate would be given on home renovation loans up to 2 lakh in the villages.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the initiatives undertaken by the Prime Minister for curbing corruption and bringing back the money which was outside the mainstream are revolutionary.
The Deputy Chief Minister while interacting with the management committee of temple assured that he would take up the issues of road connectivity and other related things with the concerned so that the devotees do not face any inconvenience. He said the area of Mahanal would also be developed under the pilgrimage tourism and necessary and requisite infrastructure would also be constructed.
Later, Dr Singh inspected the pace of work on Rs 47 crore 532 meter span bridge being constructed by JKPCC, which would connect 10 Panchayats of Billawar-Basohli areas.
The Deputy Chief Minister while asking the officers to fast pace the work on the bridge said that it was a decade’s long pending demand of the people of the area and was recently taken up by the present Government, which believes in providing the people better facilities of connectivity, amenities and other related things.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
