Announces 500 tractors for farms at Subsidized rates; UT to be power surplus in next 4 years: Rohit Kansal
Abid Bashir
Srinagar : My mission to ensure overall development of J&K UTs all 20 districts without any discrimination and that the UT will have seven tunnels that will be completed within a stipulated time frame for which tendering process is on, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday.
He announced sops for farmers by stating that 500 tractors will be given to the farmers at subsidized rates. Addressing a press conference at Rajbhawan, the J&K LG highlighted the achievements of the administration led by him, especially the back to village programs.
“I stand committed to my commitment that I will ensure development to all 20 districts of the UT without any discrimination,” the LG said. While speaking about the 14.15 kilometers long Zojila tunnel, the work on which was started today, the LG said that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the tunnel virtually and that the tunnel will be constructed in Rs 7000 crore, which is Rs 4000 Cr less than the amount fixed for it earlier.
“Let me announce here that seven more tunnels will be constructed in J&K UT in the next two years. The initiating of the work of Zojila Tunnel by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is a historic milestone. Seven more Tunnels are in the pipeline to strengthen the road connectivity across J&K.”
He said that construction of the 8450-metre-long twin-tube tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal will be completed by the coming March. “2968-metre-long 6-single tunnels road between Ramban and Banihal is due for completion in December 2021. Khilani to Kishtwar, 450 mtr long tunnel will be completed by June 2022,” LG Sinha said. “Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 4.5 km long Chenani to Anantnag Tunnel near Sudhmahadev is prepared and tender will be floated soon. DPRs for Rs 4600 cr worth 10.20 Km long Sinthan Pass tunnel and Rs 350 cr worth Gelani Bypass Tunnel have been finalized and Tender for Rs 5400 cr valued Chattru to Anantnag Tunnel will be floated soon as its DPR is also finalized.”
About the recent developmental initiatives and public grievance redressal system in villages through back to village program-3, the LG Sinha said that the administration doesn’t believe in lip services on but doing work on ground. “Five lakh people participated at 285 locations in the BV-3 programs. Every panchayat has been given a sports kit. Dustbins have also been provided to each panchayat,” he said. The LG Sinha 4.25 lakh domicile certificates have been distributed among people
The LG said that corruption-free and transparent governance is the priority of the present dispensation. He assured that he would ensure more use of technology for quick, hassle-free services like online building permissions, clearance of contractors’ bills, and other payments.
He further said: “In the last two months, several major steps have been taken up by J&K administration to empower villages and urban areas of the Union Territory, and to make government more responsive and accessible to the people. My first and only motto is development across 20 districts without any discrimination.”
Announcing his aim of achieving public outreach in towns, strengthening of grass-root democracy, and delivering services at doorsteps of the urban population, the Lt Governor announced that the government is coming up with ‘My Town My Pride’ movement, which starts from 19th October. “We have three main objectives – Public outreach in towns, Strengthening grass-root democracy, and service delivery at doorsteps. I have been pushing for on spot Grievance Redressal, Instant delivery of services to the masses, and on the ground speedy execution of people-centric projects,” he said.
On macadamisation of roads, the LG said that the J&K UT is number one among all the States and UT’s as far as performance in PMGSY is concerned.
“We have already completed 1,392 kms and maximum progress was made between 1st June to 15th October,” he said. “Blacktopping has been completed at the stretch of total 2,759 kms, including 1,250 kms of PMGSY roads.”
In the last two months, various steps were taken for the development of the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors. “We are distributing free threshers to every Panchayat to ensure harvest process is not hampered. We are finalizing a proposal to provide 500 tractors to willing farmers on subsidized rates,” the LG Sinha said, adding that “We are also identifying stretches for the construction of Public Conveniences infrastructure in the cities, towns, and along the highways. It will have standard designs, a common theme, and common branding. We are hoping to construct about 700-800 Public Toilets within three months’ time.
The LG said that the administration is giving a relief amount of Rs.1000 per month ( for Nine Months) to performing artists and the government will spend at least Rs. 1.8 Crore; Rs. 1000 per month to Shakarawala, Workers, Gudies in House Boats as a relief amount and government will spend 11.95 crore on this; Drivers, cleaners who have moved to construction sector due to pandemic will be paid Rs.1000 per month for six months and the government will spend Rs.80 crore on this; 50% subsidy or Rs. 5 Lakh whichever is lower will be provided to the transporters for replacements of old buses. “We are spending around Rs. 25 crore for this relief, said the Lt Governor.
Speaking on the health sector, the Lt Governor said, ‘The work on 200 Bedded District Hospitals at Ganderbal and 500 bedded state of the art Paediatric Hospital at Bemina, which were started in 2009 and 2012 respectively were being delayed unnecessarily. We ensured that the works on these projects are expedited and both the hospitals are set to open next month. Work on Unani Hospital Ganderbal, which was going on at snail’s pace since 2011 has been sped up and the hospital is ready to be dedicated to the public, with minor works like lift etc pending’, he added.
“I am also committed to providing quality and accessible healthcare services to the people of J&K. JK Health Insurance scheme viz ‘Sehat’ will cover each and every citizen of this Union territory and will also cover those not included under Ayushman Bharat,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Government spokesman and Principal Secretary Power, Rohit Kansal said the upcoming power projects will generate 6298 MW at the cost of Rs 54,593 crores substantially enhancing the generation capacity in the region’, said the Lt Governor. “It has taken us 40 years to reach capacity of 3000 MW power generation. I assure that the target of next 3,000 MW will be reached within the next four years’, he said. ‘All options will be explored to make Jammu Kashmir self-sufficient in Power Sector’, he added,” Kansal said—(KNO)
