Excelsior Correspondent
NAGROTA, Nov 25: Saying that development is core of his agenda for Nagrota Assembly constituency, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today said National Conference is committed to sustaining peace and carrying forward the mission of progress in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have embarked upon chosen path of transforming Nagrota as Nava Jammu, a satellite township with all modern facilities and this odyssey will gain momentum in the years to come”, Mr Rana, who is NC candidate for the constituency, said while addressing various election meetings in Panchayat Badsoo and Panchayat Janakha.
He said development cannot be relegated to back burner by resorting to populism and creating hype over emotive issues to hoodwink the public opinion, as the people are craving for good roads, regulated power and drinking water supply, viable education and health services besides other utility services. He said these can be ensured only when the state has a stable and strong government, which may be empowered to take bold and innovative decisions for the overall good of people.
“National Conference alone is in a position to give a strong dispensation as it is deeply rooted in every nook and corner of the state”, Mr Rana declared while giving an overview of the track-record of his party over the decades.
While elaborating on his concept of Nava Jammu, Mr Rana said this is a vision which will steer the constituency to a new era of infrastructural development with service sectors getting impetus. With development taking priority, the constituency will get a make over within specified time frame. The idea has already generated a debate, not only across the constituency but elsewhere also, as Nagrota could become a most sought after destination for the people of greater Jammu. “For this the people will have to gird up their loins and support the initiative aiming at making the constituency as residential cum commercial hub”, he added.
The National Conference candidate also made a mention of various initiatives taken during the past few years to put the constituency on the path of futuristic development, keeping in view its potential for growth and expansion. He referred to network of roads laid during recent years and special thrust laid on upgrading the power and water supply. In the rural development sector, several initiatives were taken for upgrading facilities as per requirement of each area. He said the people at grass roots level have been empowered to fix priorities for their areas, which has gone well in undertaking the most needed schemes in each Panchayat Halqa. He also described the carving out of administrative units as a revolutionary step that will infuse a sense of empowerment to the people in years to come with administration coming at their door-steps. He said discernible development has taken place over the years, which has changed the profile of the constituency. “This gives us added strength to push forward the mission with renewed vigour and confidence”, he added.