JAMMU JANUARY 18 (KNS): A deputation of Apni Party today met Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Dulloo here at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to discuss various development related issues regarding Kupwara, and Chadoora.
The deputation was led by Party’s District President Kupwara, ex-MLA, Raja Manzoor, Media Advisor, Farooq Andrabi, Ex-Chairman, Chadoora, Fahad Andrabi, Prof G. M. Paul.
During their meeting with the Chief Secretary, Raja Manzoor Khan also demanded that the SDH Tangdhar, Karnah should also be upgraded from 30 beds to 100 beds and proper facilities should be provided to the patients with the introduction of modern equipment and trained staff members and doctors.
Referring to the proposed widening work of NHW-701, he said that the proposed widening work on National Highway has distressed people and the shopkeepers with possibility of their displacement, especially the shopkeepers. The Govt should take a humanitarian view of the situation to protect the livelihood of the people, and their residential houses by providing them suitable rehabilitation alternatives.
He also said that “We are unaware about the status of the tender for the feasibility of a tunnel at Sadhana. Therefore, the Chief Secretary was requested to ensure that a tunnel at Sadhana should be constructed. The people should also be informed about the status of the feasibility tunnel at Sadhana.”
He also demanded that the Govt should ensure that the construction work at Sadhana Tunnel should be started.
He also demanded that the important tourist and religious designation Sadhana Pass facing problems because of physical checking of the vehicles/commuters.
“It’s an economic hub and therefore, the commuters should not face any kind of inconvenience. Hence, the Govt should ensure that automatic scanners should be installed at the Sadhana Pass to avoid any kind of inconvenience to the pilgrims, tourists and general masses,” he added.
He further said the construction of a sports stadium at Lontha in Karnah to encourage sportsmanship among the youth. For this purpose, he demanded that additional funds should be allocated to the concerned department to acquire more land to construct a sports stadium.
He also said that he had proposed a land at Lontha that had to be acquired by the Govt to establish mini-sports stadium and accordingly, Rs 1 crore was released five years back with his efforts that remained unutilized.
“Unfortunately, the project for the construction of the sports stadium could not be started till date since it required more funds. Therefore, the additional funds for the acquiring of land should be released so that the project can be completed, which is yet to take off,” he informed.
He also highlighted the concerns of the power consumers in Karna - Kupwara in the wake of resentment against the power department for hiking the electricity tariff.
“The Govt should provide a relief to the power consumers especially to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) consumers so that they are not overburdened with the increased power tariff,” he said, while seeking attention of the Chief Secretary.
He also demanded that the construction work of the 12 MV power project at Karnah should be completed at the earliest, and 24/7 electricity should be provided to the power consumers.
After hearing the Apni Party deputation carefully, the Chief Secretary assured them that he would look into the demands, and accordingly, they shall be addressed.
Besides, Farooq Andrabi and other leaders in the deputation highlighted the demands regarding development in Kupwara and Chadoora.
Andrabi demanded upgradation of the Sub District Hospital (SDH) Chadoora with adequate staff and hi-tech infrastructure to cater the needs of the surrounding people.
He also demanded construction of playgrounds in Chadoora with the release of adequate funds and land allocation for the same.(KNS)