Says Govt committed to socio economic development of rural Kashmir
BUDGAM: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today visited the revered shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) at Charar-e-Sharief and Syed Ali Balkhi (RA) at Pakharpora in Budgam district of central Kashmir.
The Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Mirza, SSP Budgam Amod Nagpuri; officials from Auqaf administrations from the shrines and other concerned.
At Pakharpora, Advisor Khan inspected the Shrine compound and took round of the Shrine premises, while directing concerned officers for creating basic infrastructure for devotees and tourists visiting the famous shrine.
He also directed the concerned to expedite the process of works of Jamia Khankah Masjid and also discussed the beautification of the famed Shrine in order to give fillip to local economy by promoting the shrine as pilgrimage tourist spot.
On the occasion, Advisor Khan also met several deputations who put forth their demands for redressal.
The visiting deputations demanded upgradation of Health infrastructure and other medical facilities like X Ray, doctors for pediatric, gynae and maternity blocks at the Sub District Hospital.
They sought repair of Pulwama-Pakharpora and Pulwama-Sangarwani roads and called for their macdamization. Besides, the deputations also demanded a receiving station to upgrade existing power scenario in the area, augmentation of drinking water facility, alternate site for bus stand and sanitization of shrine surroundings.
The visiting deputations also demanded Treasury block, Tehsil block, Health block and Education zone at Pakharpora.
A deputation of Fruit growers also met Advisor Khan and put their demands before the Advisor.
Later, Advisor Khan also visited Charar e Sharief Shrine and took stock of the ongoing works of Masjid Sharief there. On the occasion, the Auqaf administration of the shrine highlighted several alterations for the under construction Mosque and called for further beautification of the shrine and adequate facilities for devotees besides the beautification of Park in the shrine premises.
Advisor Khan also inspected the main market area of the shrine and interacted with the shopkeepers and traders there. Advisor Khan directed the concerned to look after the sanitation and civic issues and road widening of the market place.
Later, Advisor Khan held a public hearing at Dak Bunglow Charar e Sharief where fruit growers association, transporters, Auqaf management , and Gujjar Bakarwal Youth Welfare Front put forth their respective demands.
The fruit growers of the area demanded a Cold Storage facility and hassle free transport facility for their produce to outside mandies. They further raised the issue of Kisan Credit Card Loan schemes and called for horticulture intervention and farm mechanization.
The deputation of transporters sought a welfare scheme for the transport sector to enable it overcome losses suffered due to COVID 19 pandemic.
Another deputation called for the filling of surrounding gorges from soil extracts of Arzan Garzan Dam vicinity to make parking slot and other civic facilities for the shrine. They also demanded water and irrigation supply scheme in order to irrigate the lands and up-gradation of infrastructure of Yusmarg under Yusmarg Development Authority and better mobile connectivity in Yusmarg area.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Khan said that the government is committed to uplift the socio-economic condition of the rural Kashmir by providing all possible help to the people.
He also said that both the Shrines in the district would be developed to promote tourism in the area in order to give fillip to the economy of the area.
He called upon the people to come forward to get their works done. He said that there is huge potential for Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage in the area and government is keen to provide all kind of help to establish these CA storages.