Highlights Government Achievements; Assures Relief and Restoration Support to Rain-Affected Families

POONCH, AUGUST 15: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm at District Headquarters Poonch, where Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, hoisted the National Flag at the main ceremonial function held at Sports Stadium Poonch.

The Minister took the salute at an impressive march past presented by contingents of the J&K Police, IRP, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, NCC cadets and schoolchildren.

MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, Principal District and Sessions Judge Poonch Sushil Singh, senior judicial officers, SSP Poonch Shafqat Hussain Bhat, senior civil and police officers, Army personnel, prominent citizens and a large gathering of people attended the समारोह.

Addressing the gathering, Javed Rana paid rich tributes to freedom fighters and national leaders whose courage and sacrifices secured the country's independence. He said Independence Day is an occasion to remember the sacrifices of the past and reaffirm the collective resolve to uphold justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and national unity.

Highlighting Poonch's legacy of courage and resilience, the Minister said the people of the district have made an enduring contribution towards safeguarding national unity and strengthening the democratic ethos of the country.

Giving an overview of development achievements, Rana said Rs 6,716.84 lakh were made available under the District Capex Budget during 2025-26, of which Rs 5,519.28 lakh, or 82.17 per cent, had been utilised.

He said Rs 640.41 crore had been allocated for strengthening power infrastructure, with Rs 528.59 crore already spent and around 72 per cent of the work completed. The project is expected to add 37.5 MW capacity and benefit around 22,000 consumers.

The Minister also highlighted the widening and macadamisation of the 198-km Poonch-Akhnoor road and other road improvement works across the district.

Under the VB-G-RAM-G scheme, Rs 80 crore have been approved, while Rs 2.49 crore was utilised between January and June, generating 83,124 person-days. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 49,079 out of 49,254 targeted houses have been completed, while 55,698 additional houses have been identified under the new survey.

On water security, Rana said 132 Jal Jeevan Mission schemes are under implementation in Poonch, with 18 completed and 42 nearing completion. So far, 84,791 out of 1,07,048 households have been provided clean drinking water. Under AMRUT 2.0, Rs 84.58 crore has been approved for improving the water supply system in Poonch town.

The Minister said the government remains committed to the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities and effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He informed that FRA Cells have been established in Deputy Commissioner offices to facilitate recognition and settlement of the rights of forest-dwelling communities.

He further informed that proposals for new Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Mendhar and Surankote have been submitted to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Rana said 520 km of roads have been taken up for widening, including 170 km under the road connectivity programme, while five NABARD schemes have been completed at a cost of Rs 1,710.33 lakh. Under the Agriculture Department, 77.02 lakh saplings have been distributed among farmers, bringing more than 324 hectares under plantation.

He said Rs 169 crore has been sanctioned for a 64-km road under the J&K Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. The Mandhi bypass is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by March 2027, while the Dharamrahi-Mandi link road has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 36 crore along with 43 additional village roads.

Under PM-KISAN, Rs 16.42 crore has been deposited for the benefit of 41,067 farmers.

Highlighting social welfare initiatives, the Minister said assistance is being provided to 62,512 widows, elderly persons and differently-abled persons at Rs 1,000 per month. Financial assistance is also being extended to 890 children from economically weaker families for their education.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, Rs 6 crore was utilised for 28 villages during the last financial year, while Rs 566 lakh has been approved for 30 villages during the current year. Free ration is being provided to 70,902 households covering 3,11,568 persons under the Pradhan Mantri Anna Kalyan Yojana.

The Minister also highlighted achievements in sports, stating that 115 children participated in national-level competitions during the year, with four securing medals. He said 1,419 Anganwadi centres are functioning across the district, providing supplementary nutrition to children.

Referring to the damage caused by recent heavy rains, Javed Rana said 22 people have lost their lives and 366 houses have been damaged, while restoration of five motorable roads is underway.

He assured the affected families that all possible assistance would be extended to them and said restoration of damaged roads, bridges, drinking-water schemes and electricity infrastructure has been taken up on priority.

Reiterating the commitment of the Omar Abdullah-led Government towards inclusive and sustainable development, Rana stressed that development must go hand in hand with environmental conservation, protection of forests and biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resources and empowerment of tribal communities.

He called upon the youth to become active partners in nation-building through education, skill development, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Minister appreciated the role of the media in keeping the public informed about government initiatives and public issues. He also assured that the police and district administration are working in close coordination to maintain peace and strengthen the law-and-order situation.

“Let us renew our pledge to build a stronger, inclusive and prosperous India and ensure that the benefits of development reach every section of society,” he said.

On the occasion, the Minister also felicitated officers, officials and individuals for their exemplary services and contributions in their respective fields.