‘Devika project to be complete before year end’
Avtar Bhat
UDHAMPUR, Oct 1: Hitting out at Congress, Union Minister, in PMO with independent Charge of Science and Technology Ministry, Dr Jitendra Singh today accused it of turning Mantalai, a pilgrimage tourism centre, into ruins and gave all credit to Narendra Modi Government of reviving it.
Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the DISHA meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Dhirendra Brahmachari was very close to Gandhi family and the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi had given him land on lease at Mantalai where he had established a Yoga centre etc but after his death the entire complex was turned into ruins.
He said the land was leased out to him by the erstwhile State Government on the intervention of Indira Gandhi the then Prime Minister but later no body attended to it after his death and Congress party which was in Government allowed it to be turned into ruins.
The Union Minister said that Brahmachari also owned a posh guest house at Gandhi Nagar Jammu which too was allowed to be turned into ruins. He said that BJP Government led by Narendra Modi revived it and a State of art wellness centre has been established at Mantalai.
Besides, a helipad, a swimming pool and an Ayuverdic Centre in collaboration with famous Ayurvedic Centre of Kerala is being established there. He said Mantalai will become a great attraction for tourists not only across the country but abroad which will boost the economy of the local people. Click here to watch video
Dr Jitendra Singh also announced that North India’s first National River Rejuvenation Project of Devika will be fully complete before the year end, within the next two to three months.
Taking strong exception to the delay caused by the irresponsible behaviour of the Contract Agency, the Minister said, the project which was launched by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on the pattern of Namami Ganga is now being monitored directly by the Centre. He said, instructions have been issued to expedite the work on the last leg of the project and to avoid any inconvenience to the general public on account of the ongoing work.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that rejuvenation of Devika was a long pending demand but previous Governments did not pay any heed to it. But soon after the Modi Government came to power at Centre, it fulfilled this long pending demand by sanctioning about Rs 185 crore river rejuvenation project for Devika, he added.
The Union Minister also announced that Chenani -Sudhmahadev and Sudhmahadev -Khellani Highway will be ready by next year as work is in progress on the project. It will be an alternative Highway, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh also announced that first batch of MBBS students at Medical College Udhampur will start next year and in this connection the directions were given to the Medical College authorities to complete the formalities.
The Union Minister said that new Industrial Estate is coming up at Udhampur. While referring to launch of 5G, he said the impetus given to various welfare and developmental schemes and projects given under Modi regime was never given before.
Dr Jitendra Singh who earlier presided over the District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee Meeting (DISHA), also issued instructions to the administration to immediately initiate the process of getting the Government Medical College Udhampur enrolled for the NEET entrance test so that the first batch of MBBS may be started by next year itself.
He also complemented the administration for Udhampur ranking among India’s top districts in PMGSY road construction for the last three consecutive years.
Dr Jitendra Singh suggested the elected representatives and PRIs to strategize the nature and sector of entrepreneurship to be brought up in the upcoming new Industrial Estate in Udhampur. He said, a decision has been taken to earmark milk product “Kalari ” under “One District One Product” programme and instructed that the follow up in this case needs to be done.
DDC Chairperson, Udhampur Lal Chand, DDC Vice Chairperson, Juhi Manhas Pathania, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur Krittika Jyotsna, SSP, Dr Vinod Kumar, President MC, Dr Jogeshwar Gupta, President MC Chenani, Manik Gupta, DDCs, BDCs and other nominated members of DISHA Committee besides District/Sectoral Officers of different departments attended the meeting.
Threadbare discussion were held on various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) being implementing in different sectors of the district like financial progress of under district Capex budget 2021-22 & 2022-23, financial/ physical progress under district Capex budget including CSS & loan, physical progress under district Capex budget 2022-23, status of Back to Village Scheme, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, National Rural Livelihood Mission, National Urban Livelihood Mission, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Mumkin Scheme, Industries, Handloom and Handicraft, Youth Services and Sports department, Social security scheme/ Mudra loan, PWD, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), PM SVANIDHI Scheme, MGNREGA, Amrit Sarovar, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), Swachh Bharat Mission, 14th FC, Education, Health, Social Welfare, ICDS, Tourism department, PMGSY, Revenue, Jal Jeevan Mission, Power Development Department, Languishing projects etc.
At the outset, District Development Commissioner Udhampur, Krittika Jyotsna gave a sector wise detailed power point presentation of the physical/financial progress achieved during the year 2021-22 under various flagship programmes/schemes incorporated under DISHA being implemented in the district , besides mega projects.
She also briefed the Minister about the progress of mega projects including Pollution Abatement of Holy River Devika, Yoga International Convention Centre Mantalai, Chenani Sudhmahadev road (NH-244). NH-44, Udhampur to Chenani, Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh took extensive review of all schemes undertaken by different departments in the district. District heads of various departments apprised the Union Minister about the status of different schemes taken up and their status as on date. The Union Minister directed the concerned departments to mobilise their men and machinery for effective implementation of all schemes and coverage of 100% eligible beneficiaries under all schemes and no eligible beneficiary to be left out. He directed all the officers to work in coordination for better results at the grassroots level. He further directed the officers to remain in touch with the PRIs, pay regular visits and organise camps in all the remote and far-flung areas so that the people are made aware about the benefits of these schemes.
Earlier, on reaching at Udhampur, the Union Minister planted tree in the premises of Dak Bunglow, he said that tree plantation is an integral part of conserving environment and everyone should plant at least one tree towards protecting the nature.
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