JAMMU, Jan 23 (KNS): Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu attended the Public Outreach Programme held at Miran Sahib here today.
Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh. Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Secretary to Government, Horticulture department; Ms. Sushma Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Jammu ; Chairpersons of Block Development Councils; Sarpanches, senior officers, political functionaries and large number of people were present on the occasion.
Addressing a huge gathering, the Lt Governor observed that the purpose of the Government of India’s Public Outreach Programme is to spread the awareness of Central Government’s developmental and public welfare initiatives and to have a first-hand appraisal of the public issues and demands.
The Lt Governor informed that in the last 18 months, around 1000 developmental projects have been completed and an equal number would be completed soon. Earlier, only 20 % amount was spent out of the Prime Ministers’ Development Package (PMDP) but in the last one year, the expenditure saw a further increase of 26 %, he added.
The Lt Governor said that with the revival of Power projects, the present government is committed to tapping the power sector to its full potential. Unbundling of Power Development Department will witness a positive change in the power scenario in next two years, he maintained.
On domicile rights, the Lt Governor said that there have been certain apprehensions around the domicile rights of the people of J&K. He observed that keeping in view the interest of the UT, protection of land and jobs for the locals of J&K would be ensured subject to certain exceptions.
The Lt Governor also re-iterated the Government’s commitment for implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment to strengthen the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in J&K. He also informed that the Government is relooking at the reservation policy so that no section of the society is left behind.
Sh. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, while speaking on the occasion, termed the Public Outreach Programme of the Government as a great tool to stay well versed with the developmental aspirations of the people.
He said that the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Girish Chandra Murmu had played a significant role during the development of policy programmes and implementation in Gujrat. With his vast experience, the success model of Gujrat can also be replicated in J&K. Talking about the developmental scenario in J&K, he said that J&K would be developed into a model UT.
Highlighting various initiatives of the Government, the MoS observed that before 2014, huge population in thousands of Indian villages lived without electricity but now 100% electrification has been ensured all over the country.
He said the Government at the Centre believes in the development at grass root level and to eradicate mediation and corruption from the system, funds were directly transferred to Panchayats from the 14th Finance Commission.
The MoS observed that the welfare of the farmers is always at the priority of the Government with 8 crore farmers connected with GoI through PM KISAN Yojna. There used to be several schemes but money never reached the beneficiaries but now, with the single push of a button, the Prime Minister credited Rs 12,000 cr to 6 crore farmers’ accounts, all due to the technology interventions, he added. Focusing on the development of agriculture sector, the Government has set a target to double the farmer’s income by 2022.
The MoS further informed that the interest subvention for Animal Husbandry is on the cards.
Health is also a priority sector in which the Government has brought some important reforms. Good intentions of the GoI resulted into availability of Rs1 lac worth of stent in Rs 10,000 only and availability of Generic medicines at 80% discount all over the country, the MoS affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Union MoS and the Lt Governor also inaugurated the augmented 132/33 KVA Power Grid Station Miran Sahib from 90 MVA to150 MVA that will benefit more that 2000 agriculture pump sets besides supplying more electricity to the residents of Miran Sahib and surrounding areas.