Excelsior Correspondent
BARAMULLA, June 3: To provide succour to the houseless, weaker and economically backward sections living below the poverty line, the Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies. Nawang Rigzin Jora today distributed cheques worth Rs.62.74 lakhs among 254 houseless beneficiaries as financial assistance identified under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme at a function held at Dak Bungalow Baramulla.
MLA, Baramulla, Muzaffar Hussain Beg, MLC, G. N. Monga, Director Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, Shafat Noor Barlas, District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Ghulam Mohammad Khwaja and other senior officers of the concerned department were present on the occasion.
Addressing a large gathering, Mr Jora said that present Coalition Government is making every effort to reach out at the doors of the needy, poor, houseless and weaker sections of the State and solve problems confronting them as early as possible.
Government is focusing on the development of basic infrastructure in towns and cities, the Minister said, adding that efforts are on to restore the traditional and past glory of old cities and towns. He said Baramulla town has historical significance and a number of schemes are in pipeline for the beautification of this historic town.
Earlier, the Minister was briefed about the implementation of the IHSDP scheme in Baramulla town. It was informed, out of Rs 840 lakh earmarked for the Project, Rs.618.24 lakh has been released by the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir and till ending May 2013 Rs.357.80 lakhs has been disbursed among the beneficiaries. He was further told that against 672 sanctioned units, as many as 617 have been taken. Out of which so far 122 units have been completed while 319 units are under progress while the work on 176 units has not yet started. He was told that Baramulla town has 21 wards.
The Minister assured that special focus would be paid on the development of this historical town and added that all the requisite funds for raising necessary infrastructure for the benefit of the people will be provided to the concerned agencies for carrying out the necessary works.
Earlier, the Minister met a delegation who put forth some demands before him including increasing the number of Safai Karamcharies, establishment of slaughter house, identification of dumping garbage site at proper places, Car parking and increasing number of water tankers to cater to the people of the town.
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