KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
In what can be described as a major relief to the people suffering from dual administrative control following creation of new districts, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Saturday constituted two Committees, headed by respective Divisional Commissioners, which will examine and submit detailed recommendations for permanently resolving the contentious issue.
After creation of eight new districts in 2007, lot of areas continue to remain in the administrative control of erstwhile districts in vital sectors like PHE, Health, R&B, Police et al, an officials statement said this evening.
“The people have to suffer a lot due to this dual control and I wish to see this issue is sorted out at an earliest,” the Chief Minister observed, while chairing the District Development Board (DDB) meetings of Ganderbal and Bandipora, today.
While Rs 100.21 Crore Annual Plan for Ganderbal district has been approved, a Capital Expenditure Plan outlay of Rs 104.02 Crore for District Bandipora was passed in the Board meeting today.
Reiterating his commitment to provide justice to all by inculcating transparency and good governance in public delivery system, Mufti Sayeed said the Government will work to see that the aspirations and expectations of people in the State are fulfilled.
Referring to the creation of NITI Ayog at the Union government, the Chief Minister said the new system of financing as per award of 14th Finance Commission has assured J&K of its due share in Union funds. He stressed upon strengthening of Panchayati Raj and Municipal Body institutions by holding elections so that the funds blocked by Centre are availed.
While replying to the concern raised by Nazir Ahmad Khan, who is also MLA Gurez, about people affected by Kishenganga Power Project in Gurez constituency, Mufti Sayeed said the Rehabilitation Plan framed by the Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, will be examined by PDD and scrutinized by the Apex Committee before it is submitted to the Cabinet for approval. He also passed instructions for framing of a DPR for promoting Kishenganga Dam as water sports resort.
Referring to the Government’s decision to frame a new Recruitment Policy to fill up vacancies on a fast-track basis, the Chief Minister said the Government will consider granting additional incentive to motivate the employees to serve in far-flung and inaccessible areas like Gurez.
Stressing upon rationalization of the Education sector in the State, Mufti Sayeed called upon Vice Chancellor, Central University, Prof Mehraj-Ud-din, to ensure that the University starts functioning from its permanent campus at Ganderbal by next year. He also urged the VC to invest in skill development of locals in Ganderbal so as to increase their employability, especially in the Central University.
The VC assured the Chief Minister that the construction work on revised architectural plan of the Central University will start shortly so that their offices are able to shift from Srinagar, where they are presently functioning.
Mufti Sayeed asked the Central University, Kashmir, to adopt five Government schools as Model Schools so that the students are familiarized with the new concepts of smart classrooms and e-learning.
Commissioner / Secretary, School Education, Shaleen Kabra, while briefing the Chief Minister about the rationalization of teachers in schools, said 112 schools have been closed down because of very low or no enrolment and the teaching staff so available has been relocated to schools which have dearth of staff.
Expressing concern over the dilapidated condition of sports infrastructure and very little focus on extra-curricular activities, the Chief Minister issued immediate directions to Department of Youth Services & Sports for maintenance and upkeep of all playgrounds and commencement of sporting activities.
Placing high priority on creation of tangible assets, Mufti Sayeed called for convergence of MGNREGA with various other developmental schemes so that wage component envisaged under MGNREGA is fully utilized. “The DDCs will be responsible for coordination and convergence under MGNREGA to ensure that full utilization of labour component allocated under the Centrally-Sponsored Scheme,” he stated.
Elaborating on the Government’s decision to have a comprehensive Forest Policy, the Chief Minister stressed upon recognizing the role of all stakeholders. He also stressed on afforestation so that we are able to save our green gold for times to come
Responding to the demands of the Legislators, the Chief Minister announced several decisions related to improvement of roads, augmenting power supply by LT / HT up-gradation and tapping tourism potential of known destinations like Sonamarg and Manasbal.
The Deputy Chief Minister, in his address, called upon the officers to conceive a blueprint of their respective departments to put the State into development mode.
Other important decisions – Ganderbal & Bandipora
- Solid Waste Management Plans to be formulated for all major towns
- Completion of under-construction additional Medical Block in Sumbal Sonawari
- Animal Husbandry Department tasked to identify land to set up Centres by availing Central funding
- SDH Bandipora to be made partly functional this year
- Funds to be released for development of internal roads in Lar and Kangan towns
- Regional Workshop for repair of electric transformers to be established this year in Ganderbal
- Construction of 7MW Hydro-electric Project at Achoora, Gurez, to be taken up on priority
- Revival of water transport from Srinagar to Ganderbal
- All PMGSY roads in Kangan to be completed on priority
- Establishment of sheep-cum-veterinary centres in each block
- Defunct PHE WSS in Inderwan, Kangan, to be made functional
- Mini Maternity Hospital at Wayil, Kangan to be provided with requisite staff to make it functional 24×7
- Expansion of Government Higher Secondary School, Kangan, by shifting of part of land under PDC, Kangan
- Work on Kohistan Colony Lift Irrigation Scheme, Safarpora, to be made functional this year
- Chewa-Pahlipora WSS , Safapora, to be made functional within two months
- Wazhama Bridge to be completed this year
