Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 26: Terming unemployment a major challenge, Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said the present Government is working on multi-dimensional strategy to harness the skills and entrepreneurial potential of youth.
Termed the youth as the architects of the future, the Minister said empowerment of youth is at the centre-stage of the Government’s policy and same is being pursued with a sense of commitment. He urged the youth to shoulder the responsibility of steering the State towards prosperity and stability.
Listing various initiatives taken by the PDP-led Coalition Government between 2002 and 2005, Zulfkar said establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), construction of Mughal Road, opening of J&K Bank and Treasury besides granting Tehsil status to Darhal are some of the initiatives taken by that regime which facilitated economic development of Rajouri.
The Minister while addressing a public meeting at Darhal, said that after a long phase of turmoil, the state is again on the threshold of socio-economic emancipation and nobody will be allowed to derail the process of development and progress set in motion by the present dispensation.
Referring to Government’s initiative to recruit doctors, teachers etc at the district level, the Minister said that the purpose of this effort is to ensure effective basic services to people of far flung areas, adding that persons selected would have to work in the specified areas and this would help cope up the manpower shortage in the crucial sectors in remote pockets of the State.
On the occasion locals raised several issues like inadequate power infrastructure and supply, scarcity of potable water, dilapidated condition of roads, establishment of degree college and community hall, dispensary at Doodaj besides exploring tourism potential of Shakarmarg. The Minister issued instructions to the officers to formulate a project in this regard, adding that no doubt there are lot of facilities created in many areas but due to lack of management on part of previous regime, these could not serve the purpose and failed to fulfill the aspiration of people.