Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 14: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed his displeasure over very slow pace of development during last four years in Bhaderwah and Doda areas.
Azad, who is on maiden visit to his native district after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the State into two Union Territories said that he is not on a political visit and has come to meet his own people after one year. But at the same time, he expressed his displeasure over very slow pace of development in erstwhile Doda district and especially in Bhaderwah Sub Division. He alleged that people have faced total neglect and discrimination at the hands of previous regime.
The senior AICC leader inspected progress on various developmental works especially that of Tourism infrastructure at his home town Bhaderwah and was pained to note that many projects which were started during Cong-NC regime were abandoned due to non-release of funds. He said general public of the area has remained the major sufferer due to the negative and revengeful attitude of the previous regime.
Azad after reaching the picturesque Valley, visited different sites of Bhaderwah Development Authority including Tourist Reception Centre Sarna, Teli-Garh, Nalthi Resort, Yatri Bhavan at Sungli and Lake View Resort, Gatha. He after keenly inspecting the progress of ongoing works, directed authorities to complete all the pending works in winter so that they can welcome visitors in the coming tourist season with a different and new look of all the places of tourist interest.
“Like Kashmir valley, Bhaderwah has high stakes on tourism industry and during last couple of years Bhaderwah has experienced tremendous growth in this sector with domestic and overseas tourists visiting in large number to this pristine Valley,” Azad said.
“To keep the momentum going on, we need to improve things and infrastructure development is the basic tool to attract more visitors. I am hopeful, next season will be the bumper tourist season for Bhaderwah,” Azad added.
Later in the day, Azad also visited Bhaderwah Campus to examine the various developmental works and interacted with the students and faculty members. They projected their problems and maintained that no additional or further improvement has been witnessed in this campus during last 4-5 years. Azad assured to take up their issues with the concerned authorities. Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) volunteers at the ongoing camp at Bhaderwah also called on Azad and discussed the issues.
After reaching from Doda this morning, Azad met dozens of deputations from the party and also general public. Many elected independent BDC chairmen also met Azad and highlighted local issues. They alleged that no funds were provided to the Panchayats since long. They sought the intervention of Azad in resolving their pending issues related to development, improvement of roads, PHE, PDD, Education, Health sectors besides non-payment of MGNREGA works worth cores for the last 2-3 years and suspension of works under MGNREGA Scheme. The R&B contractors delegation alleged that their payments were also pending since long and there seems to be no accountability of any body at all.
Azad returned to Ramban late this evening where he met several delegations from various blocks of the district. He will meet some more delegations from Banihal, Pogal Paristan and Mohu Mangat area tomorrow and then return to Jammu, from where he will leave for New Delhi in the afternoon flight.
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