Kathua, Jan 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday dedicated development works worth Rs 11.58 crore in Kathua district, including inaugurations and foundation stones, aimed at strengthening infrastructure, boosting local entrepreneurship and enhancing livelihood opportunities.
Chairing a District Review Meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex here, the Chief Minister inaugurated key projects spanning rural enterprise, agriculture and allied sectors, which are expected to generate employment and add value to local resources.
Among the major inaugurations were the Bamboo Crafts Common Facility Centre at Sallan (Rs 2.87 crore), Kathua Kriti Showroom (Rs 41.51 lakh) for marketing local products, and the Agarbatti Common Facility Centre at Billawar (Rs 3.39 crore) to support micro-entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
Further strengthening the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister inaugurated the upgradation of Poultry and Hatchery Unit, Kathua, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), with an outlay of Rs 3.88 crore, aimed at improving productivity and farmers’ income.
In the education sector, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for eight additional classrooms at Government Higher Secondary School, Kathera, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.768 crore, to ease congestion and improve learning facilities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, DDC Chairman Mahan Singh, MLAs Dr Bharat Bhushan (Kathua), Satish Sharma (Billawar), Dr Rameshwar Singh (Bani), Darshan Kumar (Basohli) and Vijay Kumar (Hiranagar).
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, senior officers and heads of departments were also present.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua presented a brief district profile and progress under various schemes, following which the Chief Minister reviewed sector-wise physical and financial performance and directed departments to ensure time-bound execution with emphasis on quality and visible outcomes on the ground.
Reviewing PMGSY and NABARD-funded roads, the Chief Minister called for identification of bottlenecks and stressed proper drainage, slope protection and safeguards to make roads durable and all-weather. The Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Juthana Bridge is nearing completion and will be opened to the public shortly.
While reviewing agriculture and allied sectors, the Chief Minister directed that the pesticide testing laboratory be made operational within the stipulated timeline and that the DPR of the Regional Cultural Centre of JKAACL be fully equipped, assuring early release of funds after submission of the required proposal.
On the occasion, the Ministers made interventions relating to their respective departments and issued appropriate directions.
On labour welfare, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasised wider outreach under e-Shram, particularly in remote areas, while the Chief Minister directed maximum coverage of eligible beneficiaries and stressed focused water conservation efforts. Issues relating to food grain distribution were also reviewed, with directions for strict quality checks and random inspections.
Emphasising employment generation, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister directed that job fairs be outcome-oriented and that Mission YUVA be implemented with active involvement of elected representatives to maximise outreach among youth.
Reviewing education and health sectors, Minister Sakeena Itoo stressed rationalisation of teaching staff, filling of vacant gynaecologist posts and ordered that certain transfer orders issued earlier be kept in abeyance pending enquiry.
Elected representatives raised issues relating to staff shortages in health and education, completion of major infrastructure projects, drinking water supply, electrification of uncovered villages, road connectivity, sports infrastructure, monkey menace, flood protection measures, land-related issues of educational and horticulture projects and absorption of local youth in industrial units. They also sought upgradation and renovation of health facilities and administrative infrastructure in different constituencies.
The MLAs also thanked CM Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakeena Itoo for sanctioning MRI machine at Associated Hospital, GMC Kathua which will benefit people of the region.
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Minister assured that all genuine demands would be examined and addressed in a phased and time-bound manner.
Reviewing District Capex performance, the Chief Minister appreciated the district administration for its sustained efforts, including during the recent floods, and directed departments to push men and machinery to achieve full expenditure with quality asset creation. He also directed intensification of water quality testing under the Jal Jeevan Mission, timely completion of SASCI projects and examination of reforms under the Industrial Policy to enhance local employment opportunities.
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