Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: Underlining commitment of the Government for socio-economic development of rural pockets, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said remote and border belts are getting focused attention and work on the roadmap to upgrade infrastructure in these belts is going on at fast pace. He said exemplary development initiatives have been taken and focused attention is being paid to equip these areas with all required basic infrastructure.
“Encouraging support from the Central Government in funding different projects in the State has resulted in launching of mega infrastructure development projects in all regions and sub-regions of the state, thus ensuring equitable development,” he added.
He was addressing the largely attended monthly public meeting at Khour.
Giving detail of various projects launched for development of the area on modern lines, Tara Chand said the Khour block is among top in the country with regard to connectivity by road links as every village has been interlinked with more than one road and three mega rural development projects have already started in the area. Special cluster model village projects at Pargwal, Pallanwala and Sainth have been undertaken for over all development of the villages falling under them, he added.
“Once completed these projects will not only address modern infrastructure needs of the people but will also go a long way in improving development profile of these areas,” he said.
He said in education sector two new colleges have started operating in the area and where ever required the status of schools have been upgraded as per the requirements of the students, adding that due care is being given to open new schools so that every child gets an opportunity to study near his home.
“The cabinet has specially sanctioned provision for ALC areas to engage ReT’s for local schools so that education needs can be addressed besides giving employment opportunities to the local educated youths,” he added.
He said projects for up gradation of power infrastructure by way of new transformers, poles, cable is already underway and the Kaleeth Grid Station would be a boon for power sector in the area.
Stressing on availing benefits through schemes like SKEWPY, the Deputy Chief Minister said that need of the hour is to look beyond Government sector for employment and develop those skills which have good market potential, adding that an entrepreneur not only becomes a role model for the society but also contributes in strengthening economy of the state besides providing employment opportunities to many others.
Underscoring on the need to develop Khour town at par with other major towns, Tara Chand said under urban development sector drainage system, street lights, house to homeless and other projects have been undertaken in the town, adding that an ambitious project for overall development of the town is also under active consideration of the government.
He said under IAY houses to homeless of the area have been sanctioned and instructions have also been issued to the authorities to work out details of left over cases for consideration on priority basis.
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