Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali took a comprehensive review of progress made on key tourism projects for Rajouri district in a meeting convened, here today.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Director Planning, Develop-ment & Monitoring, S. Bilal Ahmed, ADC Rajouri, CEO Rajouri Development Authority and other senior officers of concerned department attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed progress on various tourism projects besides activities undertaken by the department under various Central and State sector schemes in the district.
The Minister called for a proactive approach to expedite implementation of tourism related projects in the region.
Zulfkar stressed on the concerned to take all necessary steps for revival and restoration of the historical, cultural heritage of the area which would contribute to promotion of tourism.
Reviewing action taken status on CM’s commitments, the Minister issued instructions to the Tourism Department to expedite works on execution of various infrastructure development projects including development of Amusement Park at Kotaranka and ensure that the works are completed with the stipulated time frame.
Zulfkar said that Pir-Panchal region is blessed with unparalleled scenic beauty, which includes fresh water lakes and lush green meadows, towering snow-clad mountains and exotic hill stations.
He asserted that it is important to bring these scenic areas into the tourist map that have remained in oblivion so far and called for developing infrastructure at these places. He also directed to draft a comprehensive mechanism to promote and develop the prominent places of religious and tourist importance.
Zulfkar asked the officers to focus on annual perspective plan of the areas having tremendous potential for the promotion of tourism sector. He directed for all concerned agencies to work in synergy to complete these ongoing projects at an earliest.
Meanwhile, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali convened a joint meeting of officers of different departments to review the physical and financial status of various ongoing works under FCS&CAD, Legal Metrology Department (LMD) and Tribal Affairs Department in the State.
The Minister taking note of the progress made directed J&K Housing Board to accelerate the pace of work of various ongoing construction works so that the projects are completed in time. He stressed upon the officers to maintain quality standards in its works besides doubling their efforts to complete the project within stipulated time frame.
Zulfkar also directed the concerned officers to release the funds on time so that the pace on ongoing works is not hampered.
During the meeting a detailed review was taken on progress made on various works including construction of Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, Eklavya Residential Schools, renovation and repair of G&B Hostels, construction of FCS & CA buildings, and Legal Metrology buildings.
The Minister asked the concerned department to release Rs 1 crore in addition to the existing amount for construction of Eklavya School at Doda. He also directed for construction of boundary walls at newly constructed LMD buildings at Akhnoor, Udhampur and Rajouri besides undertaking landscaping works.
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