Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Mar 6: As a sequel to the January 15 reshuffle in the Cabinet by the Chief Minister, the State Government has also appointed new Chairpersons as heads of various District Development Boards (DDBs) across the State. While several drop-outs Ministers have removed, fresh faces have been appointed as Chairpersons of the Boards.
The exercise had become necessary in view of the fact that several Chairpersons of the DDBs had been dropped by Omar Abdullah during the Cabinet expansion. These included Surjit Singh Slathia (Industries and Commerce), Qamar Ali Akhoon (Transport and CAPD), Abdul Gani Malik (Higher Education), Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (Animal and Sheep Husbandry), all from National Conference (NC) in the Cabinet rank and RS Chib (Medical Education), who was lone Congress legislators to be dropped.
Besides, reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that the State Government has also ordered a rejig among the earlier DDB Chairpersons and only seven out of 18 Chairpersons have retained their earlier districts.
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah continued to be Chairpersons of the District Development of the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Among others, who have been nominated as Chairpersons same districts as per the new Government Order issued by Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B R Sharma included Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand (Samba); Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs (Anantnag); Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (Ganderbal); Mian Altaf, Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology (Kulgam); Taj Mohi-ud-din, Minister for Medical Education, Sports and Youth Services (Kupwara); Ghulam Hasan Mir, Minister for Agriculture Production (Budgam); Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, ARI Trainings and Public Grievances (Pulwama)”, sources informed.
Newly inducted six Cabinet Minister, who have been appointed Chairpersons of the DDBs included Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone (Poonch), Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan (Baramulla), Minister for Planning & Development, Labour and Employment Ajay Sadhotra (Rajouri) and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Saifullah Mir (Doda) —- all from National Conference. Minister for R&B and Mechanical Engineering, Abdul Mujeed Wani, has been appointed Chairman for Kishtwar and Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir for Bandipora Board and both belonged to Congress party.
Further, sources stated that Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, who holds portfolio of School Education has been appointed as Chairman of Samba and Reasi districts. Earlier, the then Minister for Power was holding the post of Chairman of Reasi Board.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Urban Development and Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture have swapped their earlier districts. While Mr. Jora is new chairman of Ramban district, Mr. Bhalla has been nominated as Chairman of Kathua district.
Sources said that as holding of District Development Board meetings to review the achievements registered under the District Plan was unlikely this year as the financial year was coming to an end. The Planning and Development Department has reviewed the expenditure registered in the districts till January ending and taken requirement of additional funds from the District Development Commissioners for completion of ongoing projects.
“Meeting of the DDBs are likely to be held in the month of May and the agenda then would be to review the status of various projects taken up in the financial year 2012-13. Thereafter, the meetings would be held to allocate funds to various districts as per the approved plan for the financial year 2013-14”, sources said.
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