Langate, Dec 26: Ministers of State,   Shabir Ahmed Khan,   Nasir Aslam Wani and   Javed Ahmed Dar today laid foundation of a state-of-the-art auditorium at Hanga, Qalamchackla, here today. The auditorium, having capacity of 400 seats, would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.98 crore by JKPCC within two years, an official statement said.
 MLA Langate, Er. Abdul Rasheed was also present on the occasion.
 Later, the Ministers also laid foundation of a tourist bungalow at Nagbal Park, Ladoora in  Rafiabad, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 71 lakh.
 Once completed, the auditorium, the first of its kind in north Kashmir, will have an expansive ground floor accommodating 300 people at a time and a balcony having capacity of nearly a 100 spectators. It will also have conference and meeting halls, besides a rehearsal and green rooms. The VIPs suit will also form part of the auditorium.
 Addressing the people, MoS Power, Forests and CA&PD,   Shabir Ahmed Khan said the government is on cue to make J&K a developed state and very possible step will be taken to provide basic amenities especially to those living in remote and far flung areas. He thanked the Central government for providing liberal funds under various schemes for infrastructure development of the State. “We are committed to provide better road connectivity, healthcare, education, power and water to the remote areas of the State,” adding that several villages will be identified and developed under model village scheme. 
 MoS, H&UDD, Tourism, PHE and Revenue,   Nasir Aslam Wani (Sogami), in his address said the Chief Minister   Omar Abdullah has embarked on the mission of making J&K a model state with equitable development of all the three regions. He said special efforts are on to provide basic facilities to the people living in remote and inaccessible areas and adequate infrastructure will be developed there on priority. He said the Chief Minister, during the Kupwara DDB meeting, had announced release of Rs. 50 lakh for this project.   
 Outlining the achievements of the present Coalition government,   Nasir said the recently-announced employment policy has provided a great opportunity of honourable livelihood for the youth of the State. He also hailed Justice Sagir Ahmad Working Group's report that favoured autonomy in the State.
 Praising the great tourism potential Kupwara and Varmul districts offer,   Nasir said the government has already made a comprehensive programme to tap tourism potential in peripheral areas. He said several tourism development authorities have been created to help develop basic tourism-related infrastructure in these areas. He asked Director Tourism Kashmir to explore trekking opportunities in Rafiabad and other areas of north Kashmir.
 Minister of State for R&B, Health and Medical Education,   Javed Ahmed Dar said the government is committed to harness tourism and steps are underway to improve road connectivity to augment the same. He said a comprehensive road network programme was already charted out under Bharat Nirman, PMGSY and other schemes to cover all the unconnected areas with main roads.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST