Kupwara: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nìtyanand Rai Wednesday reached the frontier district Kupwara for a three day visit as part of the Union Government’s public outreach programme to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister on reaching Kupwara laid foundation stone of Model Agriculture Farm at Khahipora-Zachaldara in Handwara Subdivision of Kupwara district and sowed snow peas in the farm. DIG Police North Kashmir, Sujit Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din and DDC Member Rajwar, Mir Suliman were present on the occasion.
The Minister was informed that the 10 kanal farm, having project cost of Rs 50 lakh, shall benefit 8000 farm operating families of the area. The farm is being developed on scientific lines for dissemination and demonstration of farm technology to the farming community with a sole aim of doubling the farmer’s income by 2022, a slogan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Minister also inspected various stalls established by Agriculture and its allied departments.
The Minister also laid e-foundation stone of 15 Solid Waste Management Plants costing Rs.1.20 crore. These waste management plants shall be developed under Convergence of Swach Bharat Mission (SBM) and MGNREGA in different panchayats of the area including Rajwar, Magam, Mawar, Handwara, Nutnussa, Qaziabad, Kupwara, Langate and Drugmulla.
Addressing the progressive farmers and PRIs present at the occasion, the Minister said that it is crystal clear that the developmental initiatives initiated by Union Government from time to time have percolated down to the people at grass root level. He said, “Development has given its deep roots and no power on earth can stop the prosperity of the region”.
He said the Government headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has broader vision for development in Jammu and Kashmir and is committed to build a New Kashmir. He said people of Kashmir have whole heartedly supported prevalence of peace in the region. He urged upon the youth and all stakeholders to take advantage of new initiatives of development.
The Minister asked the people present on the occasion to be brave enough to inform him about clear picture of development taking place in their areas, adding that the sole aim of Union Government’s public outreach programme is to assess the development at grass root level.
Expressing satisfaction over the positive approach and interest of youth in education, Rai said that 13 youth from J&K including 9 from Valley have qualified the prestigious UPSC exam and urged upon the youth to take keen interest in education and development of their personalities.
While interacting with people associated with handicrafts and other stall vendors, the Minister stressed upon the need for enhancement of marketing avenues in addition to production, adding that the whole of India is a market place for products of Kashmiri origin.
On the occasion, the Minister distributed certificates of appreciation, Golden/E-Shram Cards, sanction letters for dairy units and walnut processing unit under One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
Chairman District Development Council Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori, Vice Chairman DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam ud Din, DDC Member Rajwar, Mir Suliman also spoke at the occasion.
Later in the afternoon, the Minister in a meeting with security agencies reviewed the security scenario of the area. High level officers of Army, BSF, CRPF, Police and Intelligence Agencies besides Deputy Commissioner Kupwara attended the meeting.
