Excelsior Correspondent
PADDER (KISHTWAR), MAY 04: Minister of State for Industries & Commerce and Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, today inaugurated a Fire Service Station at Atholi, Padder here, which is almost 100-km away from the district headquarters. The Minister also inaugurated new Police Quarters’ Complex during his two-day visit to one of the remotest pockets of the district.
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Mohammad Saleem, Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Jammu, S. Sodhi, SP Kishtwar, Kulbir Singh, besides several senior District Officers were present on the occasion.
Later addressing a gathering, the Minister said there is a huge global demand for pure Padder sapphire. “Sapphire holds key to the economic development of the region. The Government has invited tenders and mining will start soon. We will ensure that it has a cascading effect and enough opportunities for local employment are created in the process,” he assured, adding new scientific mining techniques will be adopted to further improve the quality.
Earlier Minister, along with his team of Divisional officers of Industries & Commerce Department and District Officers of Kishtwar, held a series of meetings at Dool, Noose, Padarna, Patherlekhi, Keeru, Kwar and Karthai during which he assured the people that all their genuine problems will be addressed on priority.
At Dool, besides announcing solar lights for each Panchayat, the Minister assured that he will take up the issue of upgradation of Dool High School to the level of Higher Secondary School. He also flagged the issue of sinking of agricultural land at Dool due to construction of reservoir by NHPC as well as shortage of medical facilities in the remote area.
Addressing several gatherings enroute Padder, the Minister said he will forcefully take up the issue of providing employment to locals in the new hydro-electric projects coming up at Keeru-Karthai. He also urged the youth to enhance their skills through various vocational schemes of the Government for greater employability in the private sector.
The people also presented several representations to the Minister highlighting various demands which include construction and repair of roads under PMGSY, special police recruitment drives, upgradation of schools, compensation for land acquisition for Keeru-Kwar hydroelectric power project and shortage of ration, power and water supplies.
The Minister issued on-the-spot directions to the Deputy Commissioner to take note of the demands and initiation of corrective measures so that minimum threshold of basic.
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