SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the developmental scenario in Pulwama and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth more than Rs 86 crore across the district.
During a review meeting, Abdullah took stock of the progress in health, education, rural development, infrastructure, public works, power, water supply, horticulture, animal husbandry, tribal development, rural livelihoods and other sectors.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Basharat Qayoom gave a presentation on the functioning of various departments and the progress of major development works in the district.
The Chief Minister also heard issues raised by legislators from the district and directed the concerned departments to take timely action.
Projects worth Rs 23.12 crore were inaugurated through e-inauguration, including the NTPHC at Ratnipora, a water supply augmentation project at Ratnipora, PHC Newa, road restoration works, additional school infrastructure in Rajpora and Tral, the Milk Village at Sangerwani and a bridge over the Lam Nallah.
Foundation stones were laid for projects estimated at Rs 63 crore, including road upgrades, bridges over the Romshi Nallah and Batagund, a pasteurised compost unit at Kakapora and a ruminant-cum-disease diagnostic centre at Pulwama.
Abdullah directed departments to speed up work on ongoing projects, particularly those nearing completion, in view of the limited working season. He also stressed the need for timely physical and financial completion of projects funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
The Chief Minister also called for greater focus on value addition in the dairy sector, citing Pulwama’s potential in milk production alongside its established saffron cultivation.
He directed the departments concerned to formulate projects aimed at converting raw milk into higher-value dairy products and strengthen cooperative models for processing and value addition. Such initiatives, he said, should help increase the income of dairy farmers and create employment opportunities.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Sakina Itoo, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Hasnain Masoodi, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, Ghulam Mohuddin Mir and Rafiq Ahmed Naik, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta and senior administrative officers attended the meeting.
