SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday dedicated development works worth Rs 11.58 crore in Kathua district, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, promoting local entrepreneurship and enhancing livelihood opportunities.
The projects, spanning rural enterprise, agriculture, education and allied sectors, were reviewed during a district-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex. He directed departments to ensure time-bound execution with emphasis on quality and visible outcomes.
Among the key inaugurations were a Bamboo Crafts Common Facility Centre at Sallan built at a cost of Rs 2.87 crore, the Kathua Kriti Showroom for marketing local products at Rs 41.51 lakh, and an Agarbatti Common Facility Centre at Billawar costing Rs 3.39 crore to support micro-entrepreneurs and self-help groups. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the upgradation of the Poultry and Hatchery Unit in Kathua under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, with an outlay of Rs 3.88 crore.
In the education sector, Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone for eight additional classrooms at Government Higher Secondary School, Kathera, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.768 crore, aimed at easing congestion and improving learning facilities.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, DDC Chairman Mahan Singh, local MLAs, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior officers and district officials.
Reviewing sector-wise progress, the Chief Minister sought identification of bottlenecks in road projects under PMGSY and NABARD and stressed proper drainage and slope protection to ensure durability. He was informed that the Juthana Bridge is nearing completion and will be opened to the public shortly.
The Chief Minister also reviewed agriculture, labour welfare, education, health and employment sectors, directing timely completion of projects, wider outreach under welfare schemes and outcome-oriented implementation of youth employment initiatives. He assured elected representatives that genuine public issues raised during the meeting would be addressed in a phased and time-bound manner.
