Chenab Region Back on Development Track After a Decade: Javed Rana

Kishtwar, April 27: Senior leader of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest & Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana, today asserted that the far-flung areas of the Chenab region are witnessing a long-awaited revival in development after nearly a decade. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the government is actively working on multiple fronts to accelerate progress and ensure balanced and inclusive growth across the region.

He made these remarks while addressing a massive gathering of party functionaries in Kishtwar. The function was organized by District President Kishtwar, Tanvir Ahmad Kichloo, and was attended by several senior leaders including Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sajjad Ahmad  Kichloo, Provincial President Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta, Pooja Thakur former DDC Chairperson Kishtwar, Fasial Hussain former DDC, OBC Chairman Abdul Gani Teli, JKNCSU President Harshvardhan Singh, and Arun Pal Singh.

Earlier, Javed Rana along with other party office bearers, who are on a four-day tour of the Chenab region, received a warm welcome from local party functionaries in Kishtwar. Addressing the gathering, Rana outlined several pro-people welfare measures undertaken by the Omar Abdullah-led government in the Chenab region, ranging from infrastructure upgrades to strengthening key institutions in the health and education sectors. He highlighted the government’s proactive and hands-on approach during recent weather calamities, detailing the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken to support affected communities.

Rana reaffirmed that the government treats the Chenab region at par with other areas, while also according it additional priority due to its historical backwardness. He criticized the previous eleven years of Bharatiya Janata Party governance, stating that it had pushed the region decades behind, but added that the present administration is committed to transforming Chenab into a hub of development, progress, and employment opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo MP expressed concern over the delay in the restoration of statehood. However, he noted that despite these challenges, the Omar Abdullah-led administration is making steady progress to ensure equal opportunities and equitable development for the people of the Chenab region. He also demanded from the Centre restoration of the special status snatched from the people of J&K.

Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta, in his address, urged party functionaries to gear up for the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) and Panchayat elections. He called upon them to take the government’s pro-people and pro-Jammu initiatives to every doorstep, strengthening grassroots outreach and engagement. He also highlighted the achievements of the Omar Abdullah Govt and initiatives taken for the welfare of the people.

Among others who were present included, Imtiyaz Zargar, Rajinder Kumar Sen, Mohinder Parihar, Mohd Sultan Malik, Ramzan Mohd Malik, Block Presidents and Block Secretaries were also present.