Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Former Union Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Prof Saifuddin Soz (MP) has said that border districts of Rajouri and Poonch would be connected with the Railways in order to ensure economic development in the area.
Addressing large public meetings at Kalakote and Rajouri today, Prof Soz said that both Poonch and Rajouri districts have lagged behind in various spheres of life because of its topography and lack of special focus. But now the focus of the State and the Centre is towards the over all development of the remote and backward areas.
Prof Soz said during the recent visit of All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi to Rajouri, a strong demand for the Railway connectivity was raised and the same has received the due attention. He said that this issue is being pursued vigorously by him and the party MP from Jammu-Poonch constituency, Madan Lal Sharma. The day is not far away when this area would get the Railway connectivity. Such connectivity would given economic boost and ensure over all development in these border districts.
The PCC chief said that Congress has always played a positive role to unite the people of different religions and regions, caste and creed as secularism is the strength of unity and integrity of the State and the nation. He said equitable development of all the three regions of the State is the key to ensure unity and integrity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof Soz asked his party ministers, MP and the legislators to frequently visit to the remote areas and listen to the people and the party workers and solve their problems on priority basis. He announced installation of 20 hand pumps to meet the demand of shortage of drinking water in this belt.
Minister for Medical and Technical Education R S Chib announced Rs 10 lakh for the promotion of sports in the backward belt of district Rajouri. Member Legislative Council Ravinder Sharma announced funds for development of the area from his CD Fund.
Prominent among others who addressed the gathering included MP Madan Lal, Ministers R S Chib, Sham Lal, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Ex-MOS Puran Singh, Indu Pawar (MLA), Kuldip Raj Verma, Shiv Kumar Sharma (INTUC chief), Manmohan Singh, Dr Rashid Choudhary, Udhey Bhan and AG Kohli. Mr Kohli put forth several local demands in his welcome address at the rally. The local leaders complained about attitude of administration towards Congress workers in the area.
Earlier, addressing Sarpanches and Panches meeting organized by J&K Panchayat Conference at Rajouri, Prof Soz said that Panchayats would be empowered like other parts of the country and for this purpose Congress Party is on fore front and committed for strengthening these basic democratic institutions. He said Congress was committed for 73rd and 74th amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act. It was Congress party under the leadership of Late Rajiv Gandhi which had moved for amendment in constitution to empower Panchayats. He said J&K would also enjoy similar powers and benefits. The meeting was organized by Sarpanch Fazal Hussain and Shafiq Mir to present their demands and to express gratitude for raising the cause of Panchayati Raj Institution.
Meanwhile, during workers meeting at Rajouri today several local BJP leaders along with their supporters and others joined Congress party in the presence of Prof Soz. The PCC president welcomed them in the party fold and hoped that they will strengthen the party in the area. Prominent among them included Rakesh Mahajan BJP district general secretary, Rajesh Gupta president Beopar Mandal Rajouri, Sanjeev Mahajan, Emroz Suri, Subash Gupta, Abdul Gafoor and Moulvi Younis. These new entrants have expressed their faith in the leadership of Prof Soz and AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
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