Security Forces handling challenges with full valour, dedication, says LG
India will give a befitting reply to anyone who tries to disturb peace, unity and integrity of the country, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday as he reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.
He said the Union territory is witnessing a new dawn of peace, progress and prosperity and “our armed forces, police, central armed police forces are handling the challenges with full strength, valour and dedication.”
“I salute the exemplary bravery of our armed forces…India will give a befitting reply to anyone who tries to disturb peace, unity and integrity of the country, the lieutenant governor said as he visited the forward areas of Poonch and took stock of the security situation along the border.
Sinha, who is on a two-day visit to Poonch, undertook a first-hand assessment of the situation at the LoC and forward areas at the border village Degwar-Terwan, an official spokesman said.
The spokesman said the LG was accompanied by Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, Brigadier Rajesh Bisht, Additional Director General of Police of Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh, DIG Haseeb Mughal, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Ramesh Kumar and other senior officials of civil administration and the Army.
He was briefed on the overall security situation prevalent on the LoC, development works in the border villages by the Army, counter-infiltration grid and operational preparedness.
While interacting with the officers and personnel of the armed forces, Sinha commended them for their selfless service in challenging situations.
He appreciated the excellent synergy between civil administration, police, army and other security agencies.
Later, the lieutenant governor addressed the border population at the Government Girls High School in Degwar-Terwan and asked them to avail maximum benefits from a transparent and responsible governance system put in place in the Union territory.
He also asked them to give feedback on various e-services launched to uproot corruption from Jammu and Kashmir.
“The goal of the UT administration is to bring the development process in terms of health services, road connectivity, education and other services in villages, especially the border villages, at par with that of towns and cities,” he said.
He said the Border Area Development Programme has accelerated the development process of villages along the border.
The administration has rolled out several new schemes for the comprehensive development of border villages, he said and took feedback on the benefits being extended under the PM AwasYojna and other schemes and facilities.
The lieutenant governor asked the people to ensure enrolment of those who might have been left out under the SEHAT Scheme. They must register themselves to get a Golden Card, which is providing health coverage to every family of the UT.
He said various unprecedented initiatives and interventions by the administration have led to a corruption-free, fear-free and transparent governance system in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid special focus on the development and prosperity of border people, especially the youth.
“The young generation should come forward and avail the benefits of various schemes launched under Mission Youth to become self-reliant and successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
Sinha observed that after the complete implementation of 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments and establishment of a three-tier panchayati raj system in Jammu and Kashmir, funds received by local bodies have increased considerably.
Sinha also directed the district administration to identify land for developing local industries in the district.
The government has kept the provision to provide greater incentives for industries in remote and border areas under the Industrial Development Scheme, he said.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired District Development review meeting in Kishtwar on Wednesday.
He also inaugurated and laid foundation stone of projects worth Rs.56.03 Crores at Conference Hall, DC Office complex, Kishtwar.
The Lt Governor said, the rate of completion of infrastructure projects, especially road, health, education, agriculture, power, telecom facilities, has been speeded up.
Our focus is on the economic connectivity of Kishtwar and reducing the rural and urban divide. Best of health, education facilities & equitable distribution and access to infrastructure will lead to sustained development and greater employment opportunities, observed the Lt Governor.
The three mega projects worth Rs.20.48 Cr inaugurated by the Lt Governor today included two PMDP projects – Rs.12 Cr worth 25 Bedded Sub-District Hospital at Atholi Padder and a New receiving station 33/11KV at Hatta costing Rs.4.31 Cr, besides 70R Double lane steel truss Bridge over river Chenab at Bhandarkoot under CSS build at the cost of Rs.4.17 Cr.
The Lt Governor laid foundation stone for projects costing Rs.35.55 Cr including two education sector projects- construction of Additional Accommodations at GHSS Palmar and GHS Drubeel at a cost of Rs.2.53 Cr and Rs.1.20 Cr respectively; 15 Water Supply Schemes (WSS) under Jal Jeevan Mission worth Rs.31.33 Cr and Sports Stadium Palmar stage-l costing Rs.50 lakh.
While examining the progress of mega development projects and saturation of UT and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the Lt Governor directed the executing agencies to ensure timely completion of the projects and urgent resolution of the bottlenecks, if any.
The Lt Governor stressed upon officials for developing robust mechanisms for prompt redressal of public grievances and saturation of schemes for welfare of women, artisans, farmers and youth.
The Lt Governor appraised the progress made under various sectors including District Capex, Education, Health, Rural Development, Road, Tourism Jal Jeevan Mission, NABARD, SBM, PMAY-G, Awaas plus, Agriculture, Horticulture & allied sectors.
Emphasizing on creating self-employment opportunities for the local youth, the Lt Governor directed the District Employment officer to connect the unemployed eligible Youths with various self Employment and Entrepreneurship schemes rolled out by the Union and UT Governments.
The Lt Governor called for tapping the huge growth potential of the district in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & allied sectors by way of effective implementation and awareness of all the related schemes.
Agencies should work in a cohesive manner to achieve the goal of enhancing the farmers’ income and increasing the farm productions by introducing modern techniques and innovations, added the Lt Governor.
District officials were directed to work in coordination with SKUAST, Directorate of Agriculture Department & Department of Industries to ensure GI tagging of local products like Kishtwari saffron and Rajmash on priority.
Stressing the need to intensify campaign against drug-addiction across the district, the Lt Governor directed the Police department and Civil Administration for crackdown on drug dealers, peddlers, and roping in representatives of PRIs and the educational institutions for Drug-free Kishtwar Abhiyan.
The Lt Governor instructed the officials to give special thrust for enhancing transparency and accountability in the working of the administration, besides streamlining the online services and ensuring door-step delivery of public services. He further passed explicit directions for completion of 79 Amrit Sarovar projects before 2nd October 2022.
Dr. Devansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar briefed the Lt Governor on the development scenario of the district and the efforts of the District Administration to ensure timely completion of the projects and reaching out to the beneficiaries under various government welfare schemes.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor felicitated the winners of National Anthem singing competition 2022 round-2 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. He also felicitated the Home Stay owners for taking novel initiative and boosting the tourism in the region.
The Lt Governor flagged off the NashaMukt Express from DC office complex Kishtwar to spread Awareness against Drug menace under NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the district.
Motorised tricycle to 10 Specially-Abled Persons and keys of Commercial Vehicles to 07 beneficiaries under Mumkin scheme of Mission Youth J&K were handed over by the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also inaugurated Hindi Pakhwada Exhibition, organized by NHPC Dulhasti Power Project on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.
