The District Development Board, which met here today under the chairmanship of Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment Rajiv Jasrotia, approved annual plan of Rs.184.20 crore for district Udhampur.Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (Independent Charge), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Food,Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Finance, Planning, Law & Justice, Relief & Rehabilitation and Labour & Emp, Agriculture, Floriculture and Horticulture,Ajay Nanda, Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissan, Daljit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for Pahari Speaking people, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Vice Chairman J&K State, Advisory Board for Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals, Gulzar Ahmad Khatana, Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of OBCs, Rashpaul Verma , Legislators, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Dina Nath Bhagat, R. S. Pathania, besides Deputy Commissioner, Ravinder Kumar, HoDs of different Departments and district officers of various departments also attended the meeting.Earlier, the District Development Commissioner, gave a detailed account of progress of departments like PHE, PDD, PWD, PMGSY, Education ,Health, Irrigation, Social Welfare and Agriculture under CAPEX Budget 2017-18. He informed that a number of departments were able to achieve 100% target but a few lagged behind owing to some bottlenecks in their respective projects.
While addressing the meeting, the Chairman asked the departments for proper and judicious utilization of funds by ensuring time bound completion of development works. He asked the DDC to hold review meetings on regular basis to assess the progress of different schemes being executed for the welfare of people. He also asked him to visit project sites to ascertain the quality of works.The Minister assured the MLAs and Vice Chairmen of different boards for timely resolution of problems of their respective jurisdictions in an effective manner.He assured them full cooperation in redressal of grievances of the people of their areas in a phased manner.“Public representatives and duly elected members of legislative assembly need to be taken into confidence while finalizing district plan and fixing up the priorities for different areas.“ said Jasrotia.This will further enable the concerned agencies in planning and execution of various developmental projects keeping in mind the demands in respective areas.While reviewing the sector-wise performance of the line departments, the Minister directed for regular field visits to get feedback regarding implementation of various Government schemes meant for welfare of the people and stressed on need-based development of far flung areas of the district.Chairman further said the level of seriousness of DDB meetings are reflected in the field when decisions taken in the meeting get materialized. He further said that discussion and consultation are the hallmarks of good governance and continuous review of development works are stepping stone towards achievement of welfare goals.While speaking on the occasion, Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh directed the DDC to appoint a Nodal officer for regular follow up of the status of Devika Project which was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 170.54 crore by the centre in 2016.
During the meeting, MoS Ajay Nanda demanded early functioning of Degree college, Moungri with admission process to be started from current academic session.Legislators Udhampur, Chenani and Ramnagar raised issues of forest clearance for construction of Thial to Chountra Mata road Padaraka to Chatrari road and Jakhani to lower Bali road Via Sharda Mata, black topping of Kainth Gali Bhamag road under NABARD, construction of road from Ossu Kaira to Pakhlai , road from Toldi Nallah bridge to connect the habitation, upgradation of 22 link roads, approval for provision of rain water harvesting structures in all newly sanctioned Government buildings and other residential buildings in urban area, construction of road from Siamary bridge to nearby habitations, road from Chingla Balota to nearby habitations status of under construction Keya bridge, construction of missing road link 4 km to connect Sambal Gandala with Krimchi Lander at Kainth Gali, DPR for construction of new circular towards Dhar road from existing circular road Omara and Ring road in Udhampur , shifting of Grid Station near District Hospital, Construction of National Highway from Thill Roun to Battal for alternative connectivity, chain link fencing for amusement park at Sangoor, completion of EOC at District head Quarter under STF at estimated cost of Rs.389.23 lacs for which Rs.75 lacs already stands released alongwith additional funds for maintenance of damaged roads under PMGSY.