Rajouri: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Saturday chaired a review meeting with officers from all departments held at Rajouri to assess progress on development projects and tribal welfare schemes being implemented in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, briefed the meeting regarding the status of various developmental initiatives being implemented under central and J&K sponsored welfare schemes.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues including Rural Development, Power, Public Works, PMGSY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Irrigation and Flood Control, upgradation of education and health infrastructure, Cluster Tribal Model Villages, forestry and wildlife, tribal welfare schemes, industries and other social sector programs.
The Minister stressed the importance of ensuring quality in developmental works, improving work culture while upholding high standards of workmanship.
He asked the Deputy Commissioner to identify state land for creating a land bank to facilitate plantations under the Forest Department, particularly as a compensatory measure for projects in forested areas.
Javed Rana instructed for installation of handpumps on community basis instead of individual setups. He announced provision of two water tankers per constituency in Rajouri district to address water scarcity in deficit villages.
The Minister directed for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth Rs 10 crore per constituency for soil conservation under convergence with MGNREGA, IWMP, and Irrigation and Fisheries Department to enhance water recharge and raise the water table. He emphasised incorporating projects under the “Dharti Aabha” initiative to enhance education infrastructure and road connectivity.
Javed Rana highlighted that all villages in Rajouri have been included in tribal welfare schemes, ensuring extensive benefits for the tribal population.
MLAs from Rajouri, Budhal, Kalakote, and Thanamandi constituencies besides DDC Chairperson Adv Naseem Liaquat, raised key issues pertaining to their regions.
The Minister assured them of timely resolution of their issues and concerns while reiterating government’s commitment towards meeting public aspirations and prioritising the needs of public representatives.
The meeting was attended by DDC Chairperson, Adv Naseem Liaquat, MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary, MLA Kalakote, Thakur Randeer Singh, MLA Thanamandi, Muzaffar Khan and MLA Rajouri Iftikhar Ahmed, ADDC Rajouri, Dr Raj Kumar Thapa and other district and sectoral officers.
