KL Report
JAMMU
The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather has said that the 12thplan document lays emphasis on faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth adding that the current year plan has been cast around this basic theme.
Speaking to a public gathering, after inaugurating a government treasury at Wadwan a remotest area in District Kishtwar, Rather said that plan allocations have been earmarked with special focus on bad pockets, border blocks and backward areas of the state.
The Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Home and Tourism, Sajad ahmed Kichloo was also present on the occasion
Inauguration of Treasury at Wadwan has raised the number of Treasuries to 57 in Jammu Division. Rather said that equitable development of all the three regions of the state is prime concern of the coalition lead by the dynamic Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, whereas development of bad pockets is its mission. “With this objective in mind special grants are being allocated in the budget proposals exclusively for all-round development of remote and backward areas since last three years”, Rather said adding that this scheme will be made a permanent feature of successive Annual Budgets of the State. He said that a special provision of Rs. 164 cr has been made for Leh, Rs.159 cr for Kargil and Rs. 128cr for the development of border areas in current years plan. He said opening of treasury at Wadwan is a sequel to Govt’s concern for the development of hitherto neglected areas of the state and to provide better services to the people of such areas.
“He said all the available resources are being pooled to provide basic amenities to the inhabitants of bad pocket areas at par with other developed areas”, Rather said adding that this cherished goal is achievable, provided people’s cooperation and support continues unflinched.
Responding the demands of the people, Rather said that the construction of a road from Madwa to Wadwan is going on expeditiously and will be completed within a shortest possible period. He said that the government is exploring possibilities to construction a hydle project at Wadwan for which feasibility survey will be conducted soon.
Speaking on the occasion, Sajad Ahmed Kichloo thanked the Finance Minister for opening a government Treasury at Wadwan, a hilly and remote area, adding that till now people of that area had to travel many kilometers to reach the nearest available treasury. He said that Mr. Rather has earlier also inaugurated many Govt. Treasuries in hilly and difficult areas like khara, Dachan, Mandi, Assar, Ramsoo etc. which itself speaks about the concern of Rather sahib for the welfare of people living in farflung and backward areas.
Kichloo also announced 1000 Solar lights free of cost to the people of Wadwan. He called upon the people to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah for steering the state into an era of Peace, Development and Prosperity. Kichloo further assured the gathering that all other demands will be considered on priority.
The Director General, Accounts and TreasuriescRavi Magotra, Director Accounts & Treasuries Jammu Division, Mohammad Aslam and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.
