Srinagar, December 22 (KNO) : Former Minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar has asked the Governor administration to fast pace various developmental projects that have been kept in limbo in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Touring various areas of Bandipora including Aloosa, Brar, Argham, Gujarati Garoora, and several others, Akhtar urged the Governor administration to speed up various developmental projects in the district which were approved by the PDP led government in the state.
Akhtar while meeting scores of public delegations pitched for the extension of Resh Kol up to Aloosa and Kuenusa, Bandipora and stated that diversion of Kishenganga has made ample water available in the stream and same can be utilized to irrigate thousands of acres of land in these areas. He said that such a measure could bring a positive change in the economy of the region and will address the issue of unemployment to a large extent.
Akhtar also underscored the need for the upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) scattered across the Bandipora region. He said that the ST population in Bandipora is one of the largest in entire Kashmir Valley and therefore needs a special focus while the government implements the Tribal Development Plan in the state.
Thanking the Governor for sanctioning a grant for the approach road to Eklaviya School, Akhtar expressed his dismay that the construction of the actual building is yet to be initiated by the administration. He stressed for the construction of the school without further delay, stating that the substantial tribal population actually hailing from Gurez have now settled in Bandipora and their children face plethora of difficulties due to the absence of a school.
Akhtar also expressed serious concern over the water scarcity taking a toll especially in the foothill areas and most of the villages of Bandipora. Asking the administration to address the issue at an earliest, Akhtar said that he has already sanctioned a water tanker out of CDF to address the water paucity and it should be delivered to the affected areas without further delay.
The PDP leader also stated that the Dialysis machine and Thyroid analyzer worth Rs 32 Lakh was approved by him out of the CDF for the district but as per the media reports officials within the health department are creating unnecessary obstacles in the installation process. Akhtar urged the government to address the issue so that people in the area aren’t made to suffer due to the absence of these facilities.
He also stressed that the construction of the road from Ajas to Sonarwani and from Bandipora to Athwado approved under CRF should be expedited and in view of the favorable weather conditions, projects under NABARD and PMGSY should be fast paced in the district.(KNO)