Srinagar, Nov 1 (KNS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated 1,416 transit accommodation flats for Prime Minister's Package employees at three locations across Kashmir, saying the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits was essential to restoring the Valley's cultural and spiritual heritage.
The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the newly constructed Transit Residential Complex at Zewan in Srinagar and virtually inaugurated two other residential complexes at Kakan Maran in Budgam and Kulangam Bagh in Kupwara.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the inauguration of the flats marked a significant step towards improving the living conditions of employees appointed under the PM Package and advancing efforts to facilitate the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families to the Valley.
“Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and it is deprived of a precious part of its soul,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said Kashmir's literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without the contributions of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
“Dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families is a commitment to restoring the historical heritage and human dignity of the Kashmir Division. This entire region's natural, cultural, and spiritual beauty will attain completeness only when Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return to their homeland with respect, security, and confidence,” Sinha said.
Highlighting the progress of the transit accommodation programme, the Lieutenant Governor said the project envisaged construction of 6,000 flats across 342 blocks at 20 locations in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley.
He said construction of more than 5,200 flats had been completed, while over 3,800 flats had already been allotted to eligible employees. The project, he added, was accelerated in mission mode in 2020.
Giving details of the newly inaugurated complexes, Sinha said the Zewan residential complex in Srinagar, the largest under the programme, comprised 936 flats spread across 39 blocks, all of which had been allotted.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The Kulangam Bagh complex in Kupwara comprises 288 flats across 18 blocks, while the Kakan Maran complex in Budgam consists of 192 flats across 12 blocks.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to expedite construction of the remaining 700 flats and ensure completion of all pending works without delay.
Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Anil Kumar Singh assured that the remaining flats would be completed by December this year.
Sinha said the completion of residential complexes also placed a responsibility on the administration to ensure that families living in government accommodation were provided with essential facilities and a secure living environment.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure uninterrupted electricity and water supply, adequate security arrangements, effective waste management and prompt redressal of grievances.
The Lieutenant Governor said every flat represented the aspirations, resilience and hopes of a family seeking a secure future in Kashmir.
He appreciated the contributions of labourers, engineers, Public Works Department officials, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, district administrations, Jammu and Kashmir Police, security forces and agencies responsible for electricity and water infrastructure in completing the project.
Sinha also commended the dedication of employees serving in different departments across the Valley under the PM Package Programme.
Among those present at the inaugural ceremony were Additional Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Singh, Commissioner Secretary Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction M Raju, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, IGP Kashmir Sujit Singh, SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani, senior officials, prominent citizens and PM Package employees. (KNS)