Srinagar, Sept 10: The District Development Board, Islamabad, which met at the SKICC here today with the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, in chair, approved the annual plan of Rs 72.45 crore for the district. The plan size will be subject to increase on account of the committed revenue component, an official handout said. 
 The Board also sanctioned an additional Rs five crore from state sector for development of roads, Rs three crore for Aang-Matipore bridge, Rs 60 lakh for Harnag-Botengoo by-pass project, Rs one crore for construction of meeting hall at Khanabal, Rs 50 lakh for Qazigund water supply scheme Rs. 7 lakhs for Sirhama road and Rs. 15 lakhs for each Assembly constituency for upgradation of sports facilities. 
 The Chief Minister, according to an official statement, also announced the project for revival of Namddas and Gabbas (local handicraft rugs). He said NIFT would be approached for the purpose to launch the project as soon as possible. He also directed for upgradation of ICU of District Hospital, Islamabad and formulation of a comprehensive project for renovation of irrigation schemes. 
 The Chief Minister also asked the concerned agency to explore the possibilities of fly-over from Khanabal to Batengoo. He directed the Housing and Urban Development department for working out a finance scheme for the completion of underground shopping complex in the Islamabad town. “The Urban Development Department should look into all aspects of this project finding out means to carry on the work on this project”, he added.
 Underlining the importance of judicious and timely spending of funds, the Chief Minister asked the administration to be on heels monitoring every scheme on the ground. “I would like the field officers to submit monthly dairies regarding the status, progress and execution of each scheme to the administrative heads”, he said and added that from the administrative heads these reports should reach to the Minister and to the Chief Minister.
  “We have a challenge to spend the money well within the targeted period so that the benefits reach to the people and state receives additional funds from the Planning Commission for the next plan. If we spent the funds in full, we can demand more plan allocation for the next year”, he said.
 The Chief Minister asked the public representatives to also monitor the works on ground and ensure that schemes are executed correctly and funds spent judiciously.
 Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Finance,   Abdul  Rahim Rather, Minister for Rural Development,   Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Health,   Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo, Minister for Forest, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Minister for Higher Education,   Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for R&B,   G.M. Saroori, Minister for CA&PD,   Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Revenue & Relief,   Raman Bhalla, Minister for Agriculture,   G.H. Mir, Advisor to Chief Minister   Mubark Gul, MoS for R&B,   Javid Ahmed Dar, Political Advisor to Chief Minister,   Devinder Singh Rana, Members of Parliament, Dr. Mehboob Beigh and   G.N Rattanpuri, Legislators,   Mohammad Sartaj Madni,   A.R. Veeri,   G.A. Mir,   Rafi Ahmed Mir, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain,   Abdul Gaffar Sofi,   Altaf Ahmed and   Nizam-ud-Din Khatana, Chief Secretary,   S.S. Kapur, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister,   Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner/ Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Presidents of Municipal Council, Islamabad and Municipal Committees of Mattan and Bijbehara besides District   officers attended the meeting.
 The Members of Parliament and Legislators projected several demands and developments needs. These pertained to upgradation and construction of roads and bridges, improvement in drinking water and power supply, irrigation,  education and  health facilities, adequate ambulance services in health institutions, construction of sports stadia, beautification of towns, rationalization of anganwari centers, , setting up of industrial estates, development of parks, opening of fire service stations  besides  greater monitoring of schemes and projects .
 Earlier, the District Development Commissioner, Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad gave a presentation about last year’s achievements and projects under execution in the district.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 IST