Shadow Correspondent
SRINAGAR, JULY 29- The annual plan for Bandipora district has been approved for Rs. 55.51 crore for current financial year. The outlay was approved at a District Development Board meeting, held under the Chairmanship of Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon here at SKICC. The plan comprises of Rs. 42.94 crore as capital component and Rs. 12.57 crore as revenue component.
The meeting was attended by Vice-Chairman, Kissan Advisory Board, Mr. Rashpal Singh, Vice-Chairman, Pahari Speaking Board, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Vice-Chairman, Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Mr. Bashir Ahmad Naaz, Vice-Chairman, Other Backward Classes Advisory Board, Mr. Kuldeep Verma and MLAs, Mr.Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, besides, District Development Commissioner, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Lone, heads of various departments and district officers of the district. Of the total allocation, Rs. 23 crore has been earmarked for R&B, PHE, Irrigation and Power sectors, Rs. 16.25 crore for Education, Rs. 1.08 crore for Agriculture and allied sectors, Rs. 2.66 crore for Health sector, Rs. 3.01 crore for wholesome nutrition, Rs. 34.56 lakh for welfare of Gujjar and Bakerwal community, Rs. 41 lakh under Indra Awas Yojna (IAY) and Rs. 62 lakh for implementation of MNREGA in the district.
Under the plan 540 low cost residential houses under IAY would be constructed, completion of 7 under construction bridges, besides, opening of 46 new Primary Schools under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, up gradation of 27 Primary Schools. 17 Primary School buildings and 249 additional class rooms will be constructed during the current financial year. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Akhoon highlighted the importance of District Development Board meetings and said that plans are being formulated for development of the districts in consultation with public representatives. He said in DDB meetings, the people of all areas get equal share in the developmental process.
The Minister stressed upon the officers of the district to utilize the funds judiciously. He asked them to involve the legislators and local representatives, while executing developmental schemes. He asked them to discharge their duties with sincerity and responsibility and bring transparency and accountability in their functioning and come to the expectations of the common masses in redressing their problems. He also stressed for implementation of decisions taken in the DDB meetings in letter and spirit.
Mr. Akhoon directed the officers to monitor the developmental projects being executed in their jurisdiction to ensure the quality of works at any cost, adding that no laxity on this count would be tolerated.The Minister appreciated the efforts of district administration in registering remarkable achievements of about 97 percent of plan funds allocated for the last financial year.
Mr. Akhoon directed the health authorities to reffer the vacant posts to the concerned recruitment agencies for recruitment. He also asked for proposing the establishment of Fire and Emergency stations at Dawar, Ajas, Bankoot, Aloosa and Arina.Highlighting the achievements registered during last year, The District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Lone said that 18 kilometres of road have been blacktopped while as 60 kilometres has been made traffic worthy in the district. He said that 12 Water Supply Schemes (WSS) have been completed, providing safe drinking water to 50,000 souls of 14 villages and 17 wards of the district. He informed that 1130 hectares of land was provided irrigation facility by commissioning 9 irrigation schemes during the period.
The DDC said that Rs. 7.50 crore have been realized as power tariffs from the consumers and 113 electric transformers and Diesel Generator (DG) sets were got repaired. He said that 46781 text books were supplied to the students of various schools free of cost, besides, 6650 students belonging to Gujjar and Bakerwal community were provided scholarship. He said 21,000 beneficiaries were provided financial assistance under various Social Welfare schemes. He said that during the period 33 new Primary schools were opened while, 23 were upgraded, besides, 221 additional class rooms have been constructed at various institutions in the district.