Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Oct 7: The two-day visit of Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, as a part of public outreach programme to UT of Jammu & Kashmir, concluded today in Ramban.
On the second day of her tour, the Minister visited Patnitop. She launched Swachhta Abhiyan at the lush green meadows of Patnitop organized by the District Administration Ramban in collaboration with Patnitop Development Authority (PDA).
Interacting with the tourists, the Minister appealed them to cooperate with the concerned so that the restoration of pristine glory of Patnitop tourist destination is ensured. She also advised the concerned to take concrete measures for better beautification of Patnitop.
Large number of delegations also met with the Minister. The delegation of hoteliers highlighted the issues hindering the tourism business and activities in the area, and demanded renewal of hotel permissions and relaxation of taxes. It demanded that PDA should take liberal steps to deal with grant of NOC relating to repair and renovation of hotels at Patnitop and home construction in Batote area. It demanded a Water Supply Scheme for Patnitop to meet the requirement of potable water in the area, especially for hotels. The delegation of youth demanded employment opportunities in the PDA and extension of tourism activities in Batote.
Reviewing the pace of progress on NH-44, the Minister directed to moot the proposal for proper linkage of link roads with National Highway. She was apprised by the Project Director NHAI about the pace of progress stretch-wise. She was informed that a realignment project of Ramban-Banihal stretch with more tunnels and flyovers has been approved and the tendering process is in progress.
The Minister said that every person of the society should be involved in the development process. She said that it is encouraging to see that district administration, line departments and the elected public representatives are working in unison for the development and prosperity of their respective areas. PRIs are the real representatives of rural development as Panchayati Raj has provided powers of planning and execution of developmental projects at local level, she said and added that they have to play a positive and productive role to ensure holistic and inclusive development at grass root levels.
Responding to the demand with regard to construction of an additional tunnel from Kud to Tringla to ease the pressure on Chenani- Nashri Tunnel, the Minister said that the issue would be taken up with the concerned Ministry. She assured that AWAS plus portal would be reopened for the registration of left out beneficiaries for a short period. She also gave suggestions to give fillip to tourism in Patnitop.
She directed the concerned to promote Rain Water Harvesting programme to meet water shortage. She also urged upon PRIs to explore possibilities to meet basic needs at local levels.
Earlier, Giving brief account of district profile, the District Development Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam informed that after establishment of three-tier PRIs system, the PRIs have formulated a development plan of Rs. 46 crore for the financial year 2021-22 under which 2200 development works have been approved.
Chairperson District Development Council Ramban Dr. Shamshad Shan, President Municipal Council Batote S. Ravinder Singh, Chairpersons BDCs, members DDCs and BDCs, Director Rural Development Department Jammu, Director CA&PD Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police, Additional District Development Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer, PDA Thakur Sher Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, district officers, besides large number of locals were also present.
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