Minister for Sheep, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli today underscored the need for effective implementation of development schemes to ensure that the benefits percolate down to the deserving population.

 “There is urgent need for generating mass awareness about the schemes particularly the schemes related to agriculture and its allied sectors so that maximum number of people associated with these activities are benefited,” he said.

  The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened here today to review the progress of developmental schemes in Poonch district. The meeting was attended by DDC Poonch Mohammad Harun, SSP Poonch Rajiv Panday and heads of all line departments.

 Reviewing the implementation of schemes, the Minister stressed on close synergy among various departments to realize tangible results on ground. He exhorted upon the field functionaries to make earnest efforts to change the development scenario and economic profile of the region.

“Priority should be given to extend all type of logistic support to help the farmers to adopt modern ways of farming, cattle rearing and other activities associated with composite farming.  Government wants to see a positive change through this vital sector which has huge potential for    employment generation,” the Minister added.

Reviewing the progress of different development projects, the Minister was apprised that Kalai Bridge, girls’ hostel building,   Government Degree College Surankote Building and separate hostel for Gujjars and Bakerwals are nearing completion. It was also informed that the process for land identification for setting up a Satellite Camp of Jammu University at Danna Shah Star has also been started.

Among other major achievements, it was informed that recently   Poonch has been awarded by the government of India for implementation of digital India Schemes and MGNREGA.

The DC said the district leads in expanding the scope of MGNREGA scheme in terms of both asset creation and employment   generation.   He said under convergences mode, the department has taken up a number of short span bridges and culverts during the current year to further strengthen the rural connectivity in the district.

The meeting was further informed that the road from Surankote to Poonch will be macadamized soon while 20 villages are set to achieve    open defecation free status under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).

Earlier, the Minister participated as chief guest in a seminar organized by the Department of Culture on the life and contribution of late Choudhary Wazir Mohammad Hakla, a prominent Gujjar leader. Kohli paid rich tributes to the late leader and described him as a great social reformer and a prolific writer of the region.

Guest