Omar Govt pleads for peace: Altaf

Kupwara: Asserting that dialogue between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan is a good omen, the Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad said that the cordial relations between two neighbor countries can lead Jammu and Kashmir towards a new era of development and prosperity. He said Omar Abdullah led Government always pleads for a lasting in the State.
The Minister was addressing a mammoth public gathering at Machipora Handwara today during his one day tour to Kupwara district.
Mian Altaf said that Government has taken various steps to tackle unemployment problem and launched a novel Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Welfare Policy. He said that the main purpose of the new employment policy is to generate more and more employment opportunities for the unemployment youth and hoped positive results will yield very soon as more and more youth are taking up this policy.
The Minister said that Kupwara district mostly Rajwar area had suffered a lot during last two decades of turmoil but the people dared it very bravely and participated in good numbers in recently held panchayat election.
Mian Altaf further said that holding of Panchayati election in the J&K State was a landmark decision and by which responsibility of overall development and other activities directly rests with newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs.
The Minister announced Rs. one crore for the development of Handwara forests under the centrally sponsored scheme “CAMPA”.
The MLA Handwara, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan also addressed the public gathering and highlighted problems being faced by the people of the area.
Earlier, Mian Altaf laid foundation stone of ‘Gamma Unit K-10’ coming up at the cost of Rs. 4.46 crore. The unit is being constructed by the Forest Protection Force.
The Minister took stock of the supply position and reviewed pace of developmental works of Kupwara district.
Mian Altaf directed Forest Officers to clear the pending acquisition cases quickly to accelerate the developmental tempo in hilly and Gujjar areas. He urged representatives of Gujjar community to submit list of required works under PHE, Power etc. to Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara within ten days so that funds are arranged. He, however, assured that where there is no access of electricity line, solar lights shall be provided to the inhabitants. He also directed the concerned DFOs to provide timber to the people within shortest possible time.
The Minister stressed for punctuality in Government offices so that people do not suffer during winter.
Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara said that Rs. 100 crore are being spent under MG NREGA in the district while Rs. One crore plan has been submitted to Social Welfare for approval under Tribal Sub Plan.
Among others who were present in the meeting include MLA Langate, Er. Abdul Rashid, Director, Forest Protection Force, Mr. Vinod Ranjan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad, Joint Director Planning, Mr. Abdul Majid Lone and other officers of the district administration.