280 MW Ujh Project: Advisor Bhatnagar reviews progress on preliminary work

Advisor R R Bhatnagar chairing a meeting on Thursday.
Advisor R R Bhatnagar chairing a meeting on Thursday.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 30: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today chaired a meeting to review the progress on the preliminary work for the construction of 280 MW Multipurpose Project proposed on River Ujh in district Kathua.
The Advisor sought details about the progress made so far with regard to seeking of mandatory clearances (No-Objection Certificates) from different departments and committees.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Forest and Ecology, Sarita Chauhan; Commissioner Secretary PHE, I&FC, Ajeet Kumar Sahu; Secretary Tribal Affairs, Abdul Majeed Bhat; Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Dr Mohit Gera; District Commissioner Kathua, O.P Bhagat, Chief Wild Life Warden, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests, Ramesh Kumar and other concerned officers.
Advisor asked the concerned departments viz Wildlife Department, PWD, PHE, Forests, Ecology and Environment besides others, to carry out a joint inspection of the site so that all the impediments are addressed timely.
He was informed that the land demarcation for the project has already been done by the concerned department, while other issues related to the project would be sorted out within stipulated time.
He stressed upon the officers to follow the clearance cases and other related paperwork thoroughly so that the work on the project is taken up for the larger benefit of the people, adding that the multipurpose project would provide Hydropower, Irrigation and drinking water to a huge population.
Meanwhile, Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officers/officials to launch a special campaign against drug abuse across the Union Territory of J&K. He added that all stake holders including NGOs can also be roped in for this purpose so that the message reaches to the last person.
“Drug abuse and its illegal trafficking is severely affecting the health of youth, besides unbalancing the social structure,” the Advisor said while chairing his maiden meeting convened to discuss the strategy for prevention of drug abuse and its trafficking in J&K.
The meeting also reviewed the measures already taken by the government to eliminate the drug menace and proposed to devise an action plan to effectively deal with drug abuse.
The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra; Commissioner Secretary School Education Department, Hirdesh Kumar Singh; Zonal Director, NCB, Gyanendra Kumar Singh; IGP, Jammu, Mukesh Singh; IGP, Crime, Manish Sinha; IG CRPF, Charu Sinha; Secretary Horticulture Department, Manzoor Ahmad Lone; DIG BSF, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Jammu, Superintendent NCB Jammu, officials from health and other concerned departments.
Deliberations were held on various issues that need to be addressed for evolving a strong and effective mechanism to curb drug menace in J&K. Role and responsibility of all the stakeholders in the process was discussed in detail and all stakeholders were asked to undertake coordinated efforts in this regard.
The Advisor directed all the agencies to work in coordinated manner so that the society is made free from this menace. He asked the Police as well as other security agencies for effective enforcement of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as well as stringent action against those who are involved in the crime.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today asked the concerned authorities to explore the possibilities for formation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force to combat drug abuse in JK.
He impressed upon the officials and security channels to strengthen the already placed monitoring mechanism and said that Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) would be setup for effective control on drug abuse and its trafficking.
He also directed the representatives of BSF and CRPF for effective vigil along the borders as these are also the routes of drug supply. He asked them to maintain effective coordination with J&K Police so that this menace is uprooted from the society.
On the occasion, Atal Dulloo informed that J&K has already a drug de-addiction policy in place for combating the menace of substance abuse. He added that ‘104’ helpline number will be established in due course of time for reporting drug abuse cases and other cases having suicidal tendencies.
Shaleen Kabra suggested that the areas should be categorized on the basis of land used for narcotic crops cultivation so that the enforcement is made effective and stringent in these locations and the crops are destroyed timely.

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