Advisor Farooq Khan visits Doda, reviews development works

DODA, JANUARY 15: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today visited Doda district and reviewed various development works and welfare schemes being executed in the district in a meeting held with the district administration.

Reviewing the progress under PMGSY, Advisor was informed that the district has got the second rank across the country in terms of maximum BT road length achievement.

District Development Commissioner, Dr. Sagar D Doifode, apprised the Advisor of various schemes and mega projects under implementation in the district by various departments besides highlighting achievements in various sectors including various initiatives taken up by the district administration like Zimedari Ek Ehsas in the education sector, Kartvya Humaray Buzurg Humari Pehchaan and Iraada in the social sector, Doda Film festival a youth engagement program, etc.

Regarding MGNREGA, 14th FC, and PMAY- G, DDC informed that the district has achieved more than 100 per cent target in PD generation last year. Keeping in view last year’s progress, the set target for the district is 39 lakh out of which more than 30 lakh PD’s have already been generated, he further informed. He added that the set target of PMAY has already been geo-tagged while the construction of houses is going on a war footing. Besides, approximately 52 crore funds have been sanctioned to the panchayats under 14th FC for various works.

Advisor lauded district administration for showcasing extraordinary performance under 14th FC fulfilling the objective of real strengthening of Panchayati Raj structure. He asked the concerned to consult the PRI members before finalization of PMAY beneficiaries list so that gaps can be avoided to ensure smooth implementation of the scheme.

Regarding mega projects like Goha Khaleni- Sudhmahadev road, DDC apprised the Advisor that all the documentation has been completed and land has been acquired under new land acquisition laws which is going to benefit the beneficiaries 4 times more in comparison to the earlier land laws.

Highlighting the importance of both the mega projects, Advisor said that due to persistence efforts of Union MoS PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and UT administration of J&K these mega-projects were sanctioned to the district which would be a game-changer towards boosting the local economy.

Advisor also directed the Agriculture authorities to give special focus on organic farming in the district to promote local produce in adjacent markets so that local vegetable growers would be able to raise their income further. He said that the local produce of apple of Doda especially of Bhaderwah area is of superior quality which shall be promoted at the National level and recommended for GI tagging on a priority basis.

While appreciating the tourism potential of the district, the Advisor directed the concerned to utilize the services of trained candidates, especially in skiing courses to promote skiing in potential areas like Seoj Dhar. He said that district has a unique topographic identity that can be utilized for trekking with directions to the sports department to utilize the services of private players so that trekking can be promoted to generate avenues of employment for locals.

Advisor also released an amount of Rs 18.61 lakh in favour of 220 beneficiaries sanctioned under various schemes of Building and Other Construction Worker’s Welfare Board.

Later, Advisor met various delegations including DDC members, BDC Chairpersons, PRI members, representatives of MC Doda and Bhaderwah besides representatives of various political parties who highlighted various issues of public interest like timely payment of MGNREGA liabilities, pending land compensations, engagement of local manpower in mega projects, supply of safe drinking water, regularisation of NYK volunteers, filling of vacant posts in education, revenue and municipality departments, curtailment in unscheduled power cuts, up-gradation of power infrastructure, cold storage facility at Doda, opening of bank branches at far-flung areas, etc.

Advisor assured all those who called on him that all issues raised by them would be looked into for early redressal.

Advisor, earlier, met with the public at Thathri to listen to their grievances.

Senior officers of district administration besides other concerns were present on the occasion.