Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 18: Several deputations including former Chairman of Legislative Council and a Member of Legislative Assembly today called on Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan.
Abdul Rashid Dar, former Chairman, State Legislative Council discussed with the Governor several matters concerning the future growth and development of district Anantnag and the adjoining areas in South Kashmir.
In his meeting with the Governor, National Conference MLA, Nasir Aslam Wani discussed various matters relating to the interests of the State.
A joint delegation of the Railway Station Hotels & Lodges Association and Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association led by Baldev Khullar and Bhuvaneshwar Gandotra presented to Governor two memoranda containing their demands.
The Governor discussed with the delegation the to-date status of the implementation of the various components of the Raghunath Bazar Beautification Project. The demands presented by the delegation included grant of financial assistance for the speedy completion of the Raghunath Bazar Beautification Project, installation of Cable Car Projects at Jammu and Patnitop, time bound completion of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Conservation Project, speedy development of Suruinsar, Bani, Basohli and other areas in Jammu region from the tourism point of view.
The Association made the demands because of apprehension that after the extension of train services to Katra, the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine should be attracted to halt at Jammu and visit various scenic spots and religious places in the surrounding areas. They also brought to the Governor’s notice issues concerning the group of guest houses, which are located opposite the Railway Station, Jammu.
The Governor gave patient hearing to the delegation and observed that the issues raised by them would be discussed with the Chief Minister.
Ritu Asrani, Project Coordinator, Indian Youth Climate Network for J&K Chapter, a Delhi based organization working for environment conservation and Owais Rahim, Project Coordinator made a presentation about the activities of the Indian Youth Climate Network in J&K and across the country and those planned for the future for promoting environmental protection.
They also briefed the Governor about the small pilot projects, which they had undertaken at the Baltal Base Camp of Shri Amarnathji Yatra last year, which included setting up of a water purification plant, providing of environment-friendly carry bags to the Yatris and establishment of eco-friendly hand washing stations.
Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and Preet Pal Singh, Additional CEO of the Board attended the presentation. The Governor asked CEO to provide the best possible support to this NGO to carry out their activities.
Dr (Capt) Ritu Biyani, Founder Director, Highways Infinite, a Pune based NGO working on cancer education in the country also called Mr Vohra and briefed him about the activities undertaken by her NGO to enlarge awareness about cancer across the country.
She stated that Highways Infinite has been organizing Cancer Awareness Workshops in various States, besides conducting Highways Infinite Walks at Pune as part of observance of World Cancer Day to promote the objectives of this NGO. Dr Biyani said that she had already organized over three dozen workshops on cancer awareness in Ladakh region and discussed with the Governor the possibilities of organizing similar awareness campaigns in other regions of the State.
The Governor lauded the initiative of Dr Biyani and wished her continuing success in her endeavours.
A 5-member delegation of the Bhartiya Gujjar Maha Sabha led by Eshfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal, State President of the organization, presented various demands to the Governor, which included provision of political reservation for the Gujjar and Bakarwal Tribes in the State, organizing of special recruitment drives for youth of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities in Army and Para-Military Forces and effective utilization of funds available under Tribal Sub Plan.
The Governor heard the delegation patiently and said that the demands presented by them would be taken up with the concerned authorities in the State Government.
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