Kashmir Magazine By : Kashmir Magazine | Srinagar, Publication Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 10:55:23 PM | Updated Date : Wednesday, October 20, 2021 10:55:23 PM
As part of a mega outreach programme for Jammu and Kashmir and to reach out to the common masses in the Union Territory, several ministers from the union government visited Jammu and Kashmir in the last several weeks and several more ministers are scheduled to visit the UT in the coming days.
As per the details, at least 70 Union Ministers are scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir of whom several ministers have already visited the UT to inaugurate developmental projects and carry forward the development process in Jammu and Kashmir.
Several ministers including Union Minister for Roads and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur, Tribal Affairs minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale etc.
The initiative is being seen as a significant outreach by the government close on the heels of many parliamentary panels and dozens of MPs touring the Union Territory along with Ladakh two years after the nullification of Article 370.
As per the sources, some ministers have been assigned different districts, others have been asked to review ongoing projects. They also said some of the ministers would interact with local beneficiaries of the central schemes.
They said that this is aimed at sending a strong message of how the Centre has a special focus on development across J&K. Most of the ministers completed their tours in the month of September. Over 200 MPs from at least 14 parliamentary committees have also visited the UTs of J&K and Ladakh in recent months, interacting with the masses and receiving a feedback on the problems they face.
The visits by multiple Parliament panels, seen as a confidence-building measure among the people of the Valley, are also seen as a prelude to the restoration of the assembly and state elections.
As per sources, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is also scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir later this month as part of the government’s mega outreach programme. Shah may also chair a security review meeting and this would be his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 and dividing the Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories viz Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Nitin Gadkari in Sonmarg
In the recent visit, minister for Roads and highways visited the Jammu and Kashmir and inspected the ongoing works on Zojila and Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg area of Kashmir.
The infrastructure sector in the Jammu & Kashmir is all set for a massive boost, The Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of various National Highway (NH) projects in Jammu & Kashmir on 27 September 2021. On 28 September 2021, he reviewed and inspected the projects- Z-Morh and Zojila Tunnel. He also dedicated several project to the nation and for which, the Union Minister will lad foundation stones in J&K:
Baramula-Gulmarg: NH-701A in Jammu & Kashmir. The project involves upgradation of the existing carriage-way. The length is 43 kilometres in total and the project has been awarded at a cost of Rs 85 crore. This Baramula-Gulmarg stretch will improve the riding quality of the National Highway for tourists to visit Gulmarg.
Vailoo to Donipawa (P-VI): National Highway 244 in the district of Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir. This involves construction as well as upgradation (2L+PS) of the road. The total length of the stretch is 28 kilometres, and the project has been awarded at a cost of Rs 158 crores. The NH stretch will provide connectivity to Kokernag and Vailoo.
Donipawa to Ashajipra (P-VII): National Highway 244, connecting with NH-44 in the district of Anantnag. Development of a new bypass (2L+PS). The total length of the stretch is 8.5 kilometres, awarded at a cost of Rs 57 crores. This NH section will bypass Anantnag town.
Four lane Ring Road around Srinagar (42 kilometres) Rs 2948.72 crores for Srinagar City’s decongestion.
The minister visited the following project sites to review status:
Gadkari visited the Z-Morh portal area, as well as drove through the Z-Morh main tunnel. The Z-Morh main tunnel is 6.5 Km long. Once the tunnel is ready, it will provide all weather connectivity to Sonamarg town.
The minister also visited Nilgrar Tunnel I and Tunnel II. Nilgrar-I is a twin tube tunnel, each of 433 metres length. Nilgrar twin tunnel-2 is of 1.95 kilometres length each. The tunnels of Nilgrar-I and Nilgrar-II are part of an 18 kilometre long approach road to Zojila west portal. The total cost of the approach road including both these tunnels is Rs 1,900 crore. The Zojila tunnel, according to the ministry, will provide connectivity to Ladakh region Kargil, Leh and Drass.
The minister visited Zojila Tunnel through the west portal. The total length of the Zojila Tunnel is 14.15 kilometres. The tunnel’s awarded cost is Rs 2610 crore.
The Union Minister also visited Zojila tunnel through the east portal. According to the ministry, the tunnel excavation through west portal has been done 123 metres in heading and excavation through east portal has been done 368 metres in heading.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi visits Budgam
The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Central Government is committed to work for the prosperity and development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to media persons at tourist destination Doodpathri in Budgam, Naqvi said that earlier there was only family politics but now the BJP government has reached to the common people and have been functioning actively for the welfare of people.
“The future of J&K has gone through dark period since independence but now the BJP government is all set to change the future of the region,” he added.
Naqvi also said that other politicians come forward to people only at the time of elections, but the BJP has always been committed and "we have reached the common masses and have resolved the issues of the local population of J&K.”
He said that the central government has been taking the tip offs from the civil society of the J&K for the development works.
"I feel that this is the exact way which would open the doors of development and peace for the people of J&K. The mission of the government of Narendra Modi is to make the people of valley prosper in their lives,” he said.
Ramdas Athawale visits Bandipora, E-inaugurated various projects
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale visited Bandipora district as part of the Union Government’s ongoing Public outreach programme.
During the visit, Union Minister of State formally e-inaugurated the 1000 LPM Oxygen Generation Plant at Government District Hospital Bandipora installed at the cost of Rs 6.75 Crores.
The Minister also inaugurated the complex of Government Middle School Saderkoot Bala constructed at the cost of Rs 95 lakhs besides inaugurating the Buildings constructed for Government Primary School Sadunara at the cost of Rs 95 Lakhs.
He also e-inaugurated the creation and augmentation of 7 sub stations at various locations in Bandipora district at the cost of Rs 37.65 lakhs . The minister also inaugurated several Panchayat Ghars in the district that were reconstructed of renovated at the cost of Rs 9.62 lakhs.
The Minister also released a book on domestic violence compiled by Mahila Shakti Kendra Bandipora and One Stop Centre Bandipora in collaboration with district administration.
Athawale said the UT and central government has launched several programmes with special focus on skill development and employment generation that shall change the socio-economic condition of the target population.
Sharing the vision of the Prime Minister, Ramdas Athawale said the “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” slogan by the prime minister is not merely a slogan but a mission that will ensure the paradigm shift in the socio economic condition of the people who belong to the weaker sections of society. He said the special hand-holding of the under-privileged communities will help in making the lives of the people better.
Ramdas Athawale said that the PM wants his ministers to assess on-ground situation and take feedback from the public and wants to ensure that the people’s lives are being touched and positive change is brought.
Several Girl students who showed exemplary performance in academics and extra-curricular activities also met the minister. He said the such girl Achievers are beacons of progress in society and urged others to follow their path. He also felicitated the achivers including administrator of OSC Bandipora.
The minister also inaugurated para-sports coaching camp at SK Stadium. On the occasion minister also inspected various stalls erected by government departments showcasing their performance, progress besides highlighting several welfare schemes.
Later the minister also visited sector headquarter BSF at Madder and interacted with BSF Jawans. He hailed their services in protecting lives of the people and the integrity of the country.
Anurag Thakur visits J&K
On his two-day visit to UT of Jammu & Kashmir Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting visited Zojila tunnel on Srinagar-Leh National Highway and inspected the work in progress for the completion of the project.
The tunnel is one of the landmark projects in road-building in India which is aimed to provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh region and the rest of the country.
Darshana Jardosh
The minister of state for railways visited Kashmir as part of the Centre's public outreach programme and said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line in Jammu and Kashmir will be a game changer.
Pashupati Kumar Paras
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Pashupati Kumar Paras on Sunday visited Pattan in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district and interacted with fruit growers and inaugurated horticulture stalls.
The minister's visit is part of the Centre's public outreach programme in the union territory. The minister inaugurated some stalls installed by horticulture and other related departments. These stalls displayed different fruit varieties that are locally grown.
Paras interacted with some fruit growers of Pattan during which they shared their feedback and farming experiences with the minister.
The minister urged them to adopt latest and scientific methodologies in their fields, adding that such interventions have the ability to leverage productivity.
He said the food processing sector has immense potential and there is a need of value addition of horticultural products so as to yield better and enhanced dividends. He reiterated that the central government is committed to ensure the welfare of farmers, besides doubling their income.
The fruit growers also raised some vital issues and demands which include establishment of cold storage facility, continuation of market intervention scheme, and hassle-free movement on national highway of vehicles carrying fruits to different markets.
He said the current outreach programme aims to listen to the public's demands at the grassroots level so that a common man avail benefits of different welfare schemes and programmes.
He also inspected some high density orchards. The minister distributed authorisation letters to farmers for purchasing subsidised farming machineries under the prime minister's development programme.
Union AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Visits Baramulla, presides over seminar on AYUSH intervention
As part of the Union Government’s public outreach programme, Union Minister of AYUSH and Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal visited Baramulla district today.
Sonowal inaugurated a Yoga Demonstration cum AYUSH Exhibition wherein young athletes showcased their yoga skills. He also inspected the stalls installed by the Department of AYUSH were depicting different practices and medical procedures.
The minister also presided over a seminar titled “AYUSH Intervention with Special Focus on AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres for Development of Modern Kashmir”.
Union Minister of State for Education Dr. Subhas Sarkar in Baramulla
Union Minister of State for Education Dr. Subhas Sarkar inaugurated a multipurpose Conference Hall at Government Degree College Baramulla that has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.14 Crore. The Minister also carried out several activities having larger educational significance.
Dr. Sarkar was on a visit to Baramulla district as part of Union Government’s special outreach programme, which aims to evoke public feedback from different sections of the society besides carrying out developmental activities in the region.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla in Kupwara
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla, visited Kupwara for a two-day tour under the Union Government’s public outreach programme.
The minister said that he was feeling great happiness while talking to public representatives in this frontier district. He assured that the requests, issues and grievances projected by PRIs, deputations and the public have been taken note of and the same would be put up with the government at the Union level as well as with the Lieutenant Governor.
The minister said that he was very impressed by the peaceful atmosphere and cooperative attitude of the people here. He said that some vested interests are misleading the rest of the country about the situation in Kashmir.
Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana Vikram Jardosh visits Anantnag
As part of the Union Government’s ongoing Public Outreach Programme, Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana Vikram Jardosh visited district Anantnag.
During this visit, the Minister took part in a series of events and activities that witnessed participation of public officials and delegations.
She inspected the stalls installed by Handicrafts and Handloom Department and interacted with multiple public delegations, members of Panchayat Raj Institutions, SHG members, youth clubs and entrepreneurs among others.
The Minister also visited Carpet Centre Siligam and interacted with artisans and listened to their grievances and demands.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik visits Pulwama
As part of the Union Government's public outreach programme for Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik visited Pulwama district where he e-inaugurated various developmental projects.
The minister e-inaugurated various developmental projects, including a multi-purpose indoor stadium in Bajwani Tral, ISM building in Larve Kakpora, sub-centre in Gulshanpora, library block-cum-additional classroom in GDC Tral, and various roads from Wuiyan, Shalwani, Wahipora Pirtakia, Abu Turab as well as a slaughterhouse at Awantipora, an official spokesman said.
The minister also laid e-foundation of Nowdal Dadsara Naibugh Road, Gusso Deeri Road, Aglar Gujjarbasti Kanigam road, and Pulwama Monghama road, the spokesperson said.
Speaking on the occasion, Pramanik said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all the ministries of Government of India to work in tandem for the overall development of J-K.
Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra visits Shopian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim is to serve the nation on mission mode and to work together to bring positive change in every sphere of life, Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra said during his visit to militancy-hit Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was in Shopian as part of the Centre's ongoing public outreach programme for the Union Territory.
During his visit, the minister of state for home interacted with personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the District Police Lines.