Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 15: Underlining the importance of peaceful atmosphere, the Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar has emphasised that it is imperative for carrying out various developmental programmes and other related activities.
The Minister was speaking after distributing cheques worth Rs. 25 lakh out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the 33 families whose houses were gutted in a devastating fire at Frislan, Pahalgam in Anantnag district. He also distributed Rs. 16 lakh under IAY besides Rs. 3.17 lakh under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to these families.
MLC Dr. Bashir Veeri, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmad and other senior officers of district administration were also present on the occasion.
Referring to the various initiatives undertaken by the Government for ensuring overall and sustained development of the State especially in rural and far flung areas, the Minister said that the Government is committed for providing the better infrastructure and basic amenities to the people. He said, “we have ensured development of all the three regions of the State without giving any preferential treatment”.
Sagar while referring to the various programmes of the Government for providing employment opportunities to the youth of the State said that SKEWPY and EDI have already been introduced. He said that the Government contemplates to provide job to about 60,000 educated unemployed youth very shortly.
The Minister said that it was due to the concerted efforts of the Government that peaceful atmosphere has been sustained and now the people are reaping the peace dividends. He said a record number of 16 lakh tourists visited the Valley and we have to ensure that much more visit next year, which will go a long way in providing the job opportunities and elevating the economic profile of the State.
Sagar also announced the construction of approach road in the village with an estimated cost of Rs. 25 lakh under MG NREGA besides Rs. 20 lakh for the construction of a Panchayat Ghar.
The Minister earlier inspected the pace of work on foot bridge at Bumzo Anantnag being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs. 95.76 lakh. The bridge would provide the necessary connectivity to about 8,000 souls of 10 villages living in the vicinity.
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