Development of remote areas, first priority of Govt: Bhalla

JAMMU: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Mr. Raman Bhalla has said Government is contemplating to to develop Bermeeni and Salarian villages falling on the out skirts of Jammu city on modern lines by providing adequate drinking water, road connectivity, healthcare, power besides education facilities.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at Beermeni village after laying foundations for construction of 20,000 gallon storage capacity reservoirs one each at Bermeeni and Salarian, the remote villages of Satwari block near here today.
Mr. Bhalla said Government has earmarked Rs. 2 crore for providing adequate drinking water facilities in the Bermeeni and Salarian villages. He asked the PHE department to immediately start the digging work for laying of water supply pipes in both villages. He informed that with the commissioning of reservoirs, the drinking water scarcity in these far-off villages could be solved to a large extent.
The Minister informed the gathering that Government has earmarked Rs. 2.37 crore for construction of Bermeeni-Rati Salarian villages adding on the project is going on war-footing. He said the 4-kilometer would be dedicated to the people shortly after completing mecademisation work. He said Government has approved Rs. 1 crore for construction of 1-kilometer road long Bathindi-Sunjwan road.
Responding to the locals demand, the Minister asked the R&B authorities to prepare a detailed project report for construction of Chatta-Sandh and Chatta-Talab Truta roads and submit the same for funding so that the construction work of the roads would be started after completing tendering formalities. Regarding upgradation of Government Middle School, Bermeeni, he said a proposal in this regard is under active consideration in School Education Ministry, after receiving consent, the school would be upgraded upto high school.
During visit at Raika village, Mr. Bhalla asked the PHE department to tap the resources of drinking water within week a time’s so that the locals could get relief from drinking water scarcity. He said Government has earmarked Rs. 3.5 crore for improving the drinking water facilities in Raika village. He informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 25 lakh for construction of approachroad to Raika village adding the road is on the pre-mixing stage.
At Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, the Minister dedicated two-room and entry gate to the students, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakh.
On the occasion, Mr. Bhalla also distributed winter uniform and shoes among the poor section wards.
At Chatha Pind, the Minister laid foundation for widening of link road and construction of 800 meter drain, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 16 lakh. He asked the executing agency to complete the project within one month for the benefit of general masses.
Responding to the locals demand, Mr Bhalla informed that Government has identified land for construction of multipurpose community hall in Chatha Pind so that the locals could arrange social as well as religious functions there.
Earlier, at Rampura, the Minister also inspected the ongoing slab work of nallah, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 45 lakh. He said after completion of slab work, the lantel area would be developed as recreational park.