“Roads are important not only for our economy but also act as carrier for cultural exchange by abridging the distance,” said  Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Ch Lal Singh while kick starting the improvement and widening  works  of Lakhanpur-Thein road at Dhanore, Lakhanpur in Basohli

The work will be executed by PWD with an estimated cost of Rs 10.17 Crores.

While addressing the gathering, Lal Singh said that concerted efforts are on to improve road network in the state and PMGSY outlay for the state will help improve rural connectivity by providing all weather motorable roads. He added that several roads and bridges have been taken up under Central Road Funds (CRF) which will help to give connectivity to uncovered habitations.

CCF Jammu, CF, DD FPF, XEN PWD, DFOs and people in large number were present on the occasion. 

Earlier, during his whirlwind tour of the area minister interacted with various deputations and gave patient hearing to their demands and problems. He passed directions to the officers to redress the issues projected by people related to the shortage of basic amenities. He assured that the demand put forth by the people will be addressed on priority and in time bound manner.

People also highlighted the demand for in time release of water in canals for irrigation during harvesting season. The minister after hearing assured them that their problems will be mitigated soon.

Union Minister calls for employability of youth by honing their skills

KATHUA: Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the proposed biotech park coming up at Kathua will be a game changer not only for Jammu & Kashmir but for the entire northern part of the country. This would be the first such park of its kind in North India after the one that exists in Lucknow.

The minister said this during the ground breaking ceremony at Ghati Industrial Area near Kathua for the upcoming biotech park project, the approval for which was given last year by the centre and is expected to be completed in 18 monthson 80 Kanals of land with a budget of around Rs 100 Crores in the first phase following which this first ever biotech park of the region will become functional.

 Dr Jitendra Singh said that the upcoming biotech park project will be executed by CSRI-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu and will act as a mentor institute in the development process. The biotech park will offer state of the art facilities to startups for incubation and development of innovation led, high growth and knowledge based bio-business and infrastructure facilities for setting biotech industries.

Invoking the youth to take active participation in various employment schemes of Central Government, the Minister said that we all are living in a country having maximum number of young people who are catalyst of this society and they should hone their skills not only to get employment but generate employment.

The upcoming biotech park project will bring biotechnology as the way of cultivating crops, living a healthy life and enriching the skills for boosting biotech industry and will benefit Farmers, young entrepreneurs and budding businessman, added the Minister.

Director, IIIM Jammu, Dr R A Vishawakarma during the function said that this is a novel concept and first of its kind in our State. It will provide the necessary infrastructure and suitable environment for development of biotechnology sector. It would focus on bio- pharma, health care and agri companies by tapping the natural resources of our area.

DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua M Suleman Choudhary, locals in large number besides officers of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu were present during the function. 

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