“Lakhanpur to get major attraction points; more Highway Villages coming up in Kathua”
Kathua: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, Saturday chaired District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting to review progress on centrally sponsored schemes (CSS’s) being implemented in Kathua district.
District Development Council Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Mahan Singh and Raghunandan Singh respectively, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Yadav, President MC, Naresh Sharma, MC Lakhanpur, Ravinder Sharma, MC Nagri Parole, Anil Singh, MC Hiranagar, Advocate Vijay Kumar Sharma, MC Basohli Sumesh Sapolia, MC Billawar, Uma Kant Basotra, BDC Chairpersons, DDC members and nominated members of DISHA committee besides district officers of different departments attended the meeting.
Addressing the officers, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the aim of holding DISHA meeting is to identify any impediments in smooth implementation of welfare schemes so that effective solutions can be worked out.
He asked the officers to ensure that benefit of all government schemes reaches the genuine beneficiaries in a time bound manner besides disseminating information about these schemes. He emphasized complete involvement of PRIs in effective implementation of schemes by the district administration in their respective areas.
Union Minister had a detailed review of physical and financial achievements recorded under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the district being implemented by PWD, PDD, Jal Shakti Department, Agriculture, Horticulture, Education, Social Welfare, Labor Department, Urban Development Department and other departments. He enjoined upon the concerned officers to ensure 100% coverage of beneficiaries under various schemes.
Dr Singh informed that 04 new Highway Villages are coming up in and around National Highway in Kathua district including Taraf Manjali, Taraf Bhajwal, Gurha Baildara and Gurha Mundian. He also revealed that NHAI is developing the area around the gateway to J&K with various amenities which will add aesthetic value to the landscape besides opening avenues of employment for locals.
He also reviewed progress on ongoing mega projects like Ujh, Shahpur Kandi Barrages and Biotech Park and emphasized timely completion of these projects of extreme significance for the public in general and locals in particular.
DC gave a Powerpoint Presentation on the achievements and progress made under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes besides status of various development projects being executed by different departments and other agencies in the district.
It was informed that the district has achieved 100% geo-tagging under SBM, 70% works completed under PMAY-U and 55% of the population has been covered under AB-PMJAY. Besides, set targets have been achieved for the current year besides ensuring 86% timely payments under MGNREGA.
Union Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to take on board the elected representatives for achieving 100% saturation of AB-PMJAY in low performing areas. He also asked PRIs to come forward for identification and projection of eligible beneficiaries for prosthetic aids.
Regarding the issue of monkey menace highlighted by various representatives, Dr Singh suggested that the expertise of IIIM, SKUAST-J can be utilized for scientific solution of the problem so that only those crops are sown which are resistant to such attacks by monkeys.
Dr Singh also laid thrust on exploiting the scope for optimum use of Bamboo crop under Bamboo Mission as Kathua district is blessed with abundant availability of the plant species.
DDC Chairperson demanded speedy completion of Lakhanpur-Mahanpur-Basohli road link and Dayala Chak Challain road besides raising several other issues related to development of the district.
Later, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the ‘Sansad Khel Saparda’ at Sports Stadium Kathua.
Union MoS said that this Sansad Khel Sparda will instill a sportsman spirit among youth as they will be able to connect to sports ambassadors for their mentorship.
Dr. Singh also said that PM Modi has given a new direction to the field of science and technology with focus on startups which was evident this year on the beating retreat ceremony where ‘Drone Light Show’ startup mesmerized the whole nation by lighting the sky with tricolor. He added that the second field which is being highly prioritized under PM Narendra Modi is the field of sports.
Dr Singh urged upon the youth to optimally utilize the third largest stadium ‘Arun Jaitley Stadium’ being developed at Hiranagar, Jammu.
Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh also kick started Kathua leg of J&K’s first free Telemedicine Service “Doctor on wheels” which will provide rural population with expert medical consultation at their doorsteps.
