Every spot of Kashmir tourist destination: Kapil Patil

Kupwara, Oct 20: Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Patil Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a dream to make Jammu and Kashmir the Switzerland of India.
The Minister was addressing a Public Sabha at Cheepora in Lolab Valley of the frontier Kupwara district.
The Minister said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace loving and it is because of the peaceful atmosphere which have created again that development is witnessing a sea-change in Kashmir.
He said Union Government and Lieutenant Governor Administration are making concerted efforts to rebuild J&K in every aspect and it is a matter of pleasure that corruption is drastically decreasing in the Union Territory.
The Minister enlisted various developmental programmes and welfare measures and asked people to take benefits of these centrally sponsored schemes, adding that while designing schemes, Prime Minister has taken care of every section of the society. He said people are receiving financial assistance by direct transfer to their accounts. He gave the reference of farmers.
Patil said that there would be no scarcity of drinking water anywhere in Kupwara district as the ambitious programme under Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Har Ghar Nal Say Jal’ is progressing at a good pace.
Referring to the Tourism Sector, the Minister said that every spot of Kashmir is a tourist destination and the Government is making all possible efforts to boost this sector in a big way. He said that Bungus in Kupwara district is emerging as a world class tourist destination.
The Minister appreciated the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for his efforts to develop/construct 400 Amrit Sarovars against the target of 70, which is a record of best performance. He asked the Deputy Commissioner to continue his best efforts in giving best service to the people of this frontier district.
Patil said that he will pay special attention to Kupwara district being the Minister of Panchayati Raj and wished Kupwara to become number one district in the UT in terms of development. He urged upon PRIs, especially Sarpanches, to work more vigorously and vibrantly to earn development award for their constituencies which is being given on the basis of qualitative development.
The Vice Chairman DDC Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir also spoke on the occasion and projected developmental issues of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray presented vote of thanks on the occasion.
Earlier, on reaching Cheepora, the Minister inspected the stalls displayed by various departments. The Minister took keen interest in the stalls and interacted with the organizers. He also distributed Golden Health Cards and Bank sanction letters among the beneficiaries.
Later, the Minister inaugurated upgradation of Khumriyal Rang Road constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,397 lakhs.
The Minister also inaugurated Water Supply Scheme at Shortmuqam -Kuligam, completed at a cost of Rs.649.28 lakh.
The Minister visited Amrit Sarovar at Vavoora Lolab, which was renovated at a cost of Rs. 6.22 lakh.
The Minister also laid foundation stone of construction of 2 BHK flats for DDC Members and BDC Chairpersons.
Later in the afternoon, the Minister met various delegations at DC Office Kupwara, who projected various developmental issues of their concerned areas.
The Minister heard all delegations patiently and assured them that he will bring all major issues in the notice of LG Shri Manoj Sinha for special consideration. He resolved many issues on the spot by giving directions to concerned officers and gave some valuable suggestions.