Jammu, January 13 (KNS):  Former Cabinet Minister and Vice President Apni Party Ch. Zulfikar Ali today called on Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and submitted a memorandum of demands pertaining to the people of district Rajouri.

In a statement issued to news agency-kashmir news service (KNS), Welcoming the implementation of Forest Rights Act which was a long pending demand of tribals and forest dwellers in J&K, Ch. Zulfikar Ali demanded employment of the next of kins of the family members of three youth from Rajouri who were killed in a fake encounter in Shopian in Kashmir.

He also thanked the Lt Governor for holding a probe into the fake encounter and said that the victim boy’s families were waiting for justice through a speedy trial.

In his memorandum, Zulfikar Ali has demanded opening of J&K Bank Branches and ATM counters in Darhal-Budhal Constituency i.e., Koteranka, Jamola, Kotedarrah, Parrori, Manor Gala and Samote.

He said that most of the health institutions in the area are without doctors and paramedical staff or with a minimum staff having no dependable ambulance services available to shift the patients from far-off places to the Medical College Rajouri.

“Recently, two years old boy namely Danesh died because of non-availability of doctor and ambulance at Primary Health Centre, Preeri,” Zulfikar said in his memorandum to the LG and demanded adequate number of doctors and para-medical staff.

He said that Anas irrigation canal started in 2015 with assured funding, but at present the work has been stopped due to the requirement of funds.

“The scheme is very beneficial for the local residents of areas as it will irrigate about 500 hectar area of Rajouri district,” he said.

He said that various roads have been sanctioned by CRF and some of the roads are still incomplete for the want of funds.

Among these roads include Koteranka, Khawaas road, Kha-Kharian road, Marassi Morh to Bagalkote, Kewal Gotu to Targian road and also some bridges which were sanctioned under CRF and the work on the said roads and bridge have yet to start. He also appealed to LG to release funds for the projects pending due to the shortage of the same.

He appraised the LG the roads constructed under PMGSY are not well maintained and some of such roads have yet to be completed till date and it has caused a lot of problems due to the worst condition of the roads.

The roads like Hubbi Gala to Bagyalkote, Budhal to Nanga Thub road, Mandor Gala to Panjnaara road, Samote to Targain road, Dandote to Neeli Mitti road, Sagra Swari to Skri Jamola road, Jamola to Hanjri road, Jamla to Majheri Barrian, Lower Charran Farwalla to Upper Charran, Chura Gali to Okhla, and Ghurha Panihad road were to be up-graded under PMGSY Phase-III and these roads are still incomplete.

Regarding Tourism Sector, Ch. Zulfikar Ali said that there is lot of potential of tourism in Poonch and Rajouri Districts which are surrounded by green lush maintain. “Pirpanjal region is having 7 beautiful lakes which are unexplored. If these lakes will be explored, it will open a new portal in tourism for which a special package is needed from the Government of India,” he added while conveying the LG through the memorandum.

Referring to two important projects concerning tourism, he said that the Eco-Tourism Park at Koteranka and Amusement Park at Patil Qila.

For Budhal-Shopian road, he said, this road will provide connectivity to the people residing in Budal and Mahore areas of the districts in Rajouri and Reasi. It will also provide a flip to the tourism sector as there are a number of lakes and meadows failing along the proposed road.

The project is important not only for transport purposes but will also provide inter-regional connectivity and boost the socio-economic development of the three districts i.e., Rajouri, Reasi and Shopian.

It was proposed to construct 90 kms all weather road from Budhal (Raj-Nagar) to Shopian for double lane and the project estimate cost was Rs 305 crores which was to be completed in three years.

He also demanded Degree College for Peeri, Eklavya Model Residential School at Koteranka, Polytechnic College for Koteranka, 33 KVA/receiving station at Koteranka, implementation of water supply schemes by providing clean drinking water and making the defunct hand-pumps functional in every household of Darhal constituency, construction of Gujjar-Bakkerwal Hostel at Koteranka, establishment of new administrative units in Budhal and Tehsil office at Peeri in Koteranka, construction of Degree College at Koteranka, and demanded release of payments who executed the work under  Project Tameer in 2017 with an aim to complete 100 primary schools in Rajouri District.(KNS)