Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, Dec 26: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today reiterated the resolve of her Government to work on the twin objectives of development and dialogue for which she asked the people of Jammu & Kashmir to give peace a chance.
Interacting with people after kick-starting various developmental projects here today, she said for achieving the objective of development and dialogue a congenial atmosphere of peace and tranquility needs to be created. She sought people’s cooperation in creating an environment conducive for development and dialogue.
Mehbooba said the people of Jammu & Kashmir have the huge responsibility to ensure a congenial and peaceful atmosphere in the State so that it has a soothing impact on the relations between the two neighboring countries which ultimately can pave the way for getting the State out of its difficulties.
The Chief Minister regretted that every section of society suffered losses during the turmoil of past few months besides delaying the completion of many developmental projects in the State. She said the Government has planned a huge developmental programme for the State and asked people to extend their cooperation in its successful implementation.
Responding to local demands, Mehbooba said she would explore the possibility of setting up a PHE division at Pulwama. She also said the bottlenecks coming in the way of upgradation of Prichoo Fruit Mandi would also be removed and in this regard she asked the district administration to work out modalities. She said the waiver on Kissan Credit Card loans upto Rs 1 lakh has already been announced by the Government and she would look into it if any eligible beneficiary has been left out.
Mehbooba said empowerment of women is key to the development of the State. She asked girls to focus on education as it is the only stream which has the potential to bring about the desired social change.
Addressing the students after inaugurating the new building of the Government Women’s College, Pulwama, the Chief Minister said women hold an important place in our society and their empowerment would signal a positive turnaround in our society. She asked the students to attain different skills so that they not only become educated but empowered as well.
Mehbooba asked the students to take their studies seriously so that after attaining education they are able to contribute positively to the society. She also laid stress on equal importance of curricular and extracurricular activities. She advised students of the college to take active interest in sports activities as well. She said importance of education has been reiterated time and again in Islam and other religions.
The Chief Minister enumerated several steps her Government has taken for the welfare of womenfolk in the State. She said schemes like Laadli besides the scooty scheme would bring about the desired change among the women of the State.
Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb A Drabu and Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar also addressed the gathering.
Earlier, the Chief Minister launched the scooty scheme for meritorious girl students of Pulwama district.
Mehbooba also laid foundation stones of Rs 40 crore bridges over Rambiarah and Romshoo nallahs connecting several villages of Pulwama, Shopian and Budgam districts. These bridges would be constructed by the Department of Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction & Disaster Management and would be completed within two years under World Bank-funded Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a bridge over Rambiara nallah at village Trenz in Shopian district. The bridge on its completion would connect Mohanpora, Babkhidar and Imam Sahib in Shopian district with Pulwama district in Sheikhpora, Arihal village.
The 275 metre long bridge would be built over a cost of Rs 25.82 crore and would be completed within two years.
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of 150 metre double lane tressed bridge over nallah Romshi at Rohmo village in Pulwama. To be built over a cost of Rs. 15.33 crore, the bridge is expected to be completed in two years. The bridge will connect district Pulwama with Pakherpora and Chrar-e-Sharief in district Budgam.
Later, the Chief Minister reviewed the pace of developmental activities in the district at an officers meeting.
Mehbooba directed the district administration to expedite the pace of works at the projects taken in hand in the district. She asked the officers to prioritize the components of works which can be taken up during winter months. She also directed the district administration to prioritize the liabilities which could be cleared before the onset of next financial year.
The Chief Minister asked the PDD authorities to undertake mechanical and rotational augmentation of electricity distribution so as to minimize the difficulties of people during winters. She asked the PHE Department to look into the complaints of drinking water scarcity in villages of Babhar and Drussu.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama briefed the meeting about the developmental scenario in the district.
The meeting was informed that the ambitious Pulwama Circular Road project has been completed and the Nursing College at Pulwama has been made functional. Similarly, work on land acquisition for the proposed AIIMS at Awantipora would start soon while as paper work for the land acquisition of approach road to the campus is going on, the meeting was told.
The meeting was also told about the progress of upgradation work on some key road projects like Pulwama-Lassipora, Lassipora-Kamri and Awantipora-Tral and other infrastructure development projects.
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