Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Aug 1: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that the Army would soon hold a special rally to recruit youth in Paddar belt of Kishtwar district.
The DyCM also informed that the land for Model College proposed for the area has been identified and the process has been set in to take up the work on campus building.
He was addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone for upgrading 2.50 MVA capacity receiving station at Gulabgarh to 3.15 MVA. The project on its completion, would improve the power supply scenario in entire Paddar belt.
Minister of State for Transport ( Ind charge), Public Works (R&B) and Revenue, Sunil Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, G.N Balwan, DIG Doda-Kishtwar Range and SSP Kishtwar were also present on the occasion.
Stressing upon the need to create ample employment opportunities in the State, particularly in far flung areas, the Dy CM said that Centre and State Government are mulling to hold special drives to recruit youth in police, army and other belt forces.
“The youth of Paddar belt will soon get an opportunity to join Indian Army as Defence Ministry has agreed to hold a special drive in the area”, Nirmal Singh informed the locals. He called upon the local youth to look for self employment options as there are many schemes under which Government provides both financial assistance and expertise to set up own income generating units.
Asserting that the Centre and State Governments are committed to fast track development of all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Nirmal Singh said special thrust is being laid on extending road connectivity to every nook and corner of the state.
“Under PMGSY scheme Jammu and Kashmir has received fresh funding of Rs 2800 crore to provide road link to all left out areas”, he said , adding in coming days many road projects would also be taken up in Paddar area to connect hitherto unconnected villages. He also informed that to improve cellular phone connectivity in the area the existing 2 MB tower would be upgraded to 8 MB by the end of this year.
Listing other developmental projects proposed for Kishtwar district, the Deputy CM said that the proposed construction of Airstrip in Kishtwar town would add new dimensions to the development of the hilly district. “The pilgrim and leisure tourism would get a fresh lease of life with the start of air service to the district”, he said, adding air and surface connectivity is lifeline for the economic development of a particular area and the dream of local people to have air service to the district would soon become a reality.
In his address, Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Sharma highlighted various issues of District Kishtwar and said the Government was abreast with problems of the people. He said the major issue of water scarcity will be solved with the completion of Naigad multipurpose project. He said besides generating electricity project would also meet the irrigation and drinking water requirements of the people.