J&K should achieve speedy, all-round development: LG Sinha
Jammu, Dec 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that he had been putting in efforts for achieving speedy and all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It has been my sincere effort that the entire J&K achieves speedy and all-round development,” LG Sinha said, laying the foundation stone to build 320 houses completely damaged during flash-floods and land-slides in Reasi district.
Funded entirely by High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India) at an estimated cost of Rs 32 crore, the initiative will provide 320 affected families in Reasi with modern, prefabricated “smart houses” without any burden on the government exchequer.
The LG praised President HRDS-India, Swami Atma Nambi, and all the members of the NGO for their selfless contribution.
He said that, with the help of HRDS India, the vision of the government was to ensure that no family affected by the natural calamity remains weak and disadvantaged.
“Houses for affected families are not just walls and roofs, but they are an embodiment of dreams and aspirations and a foundation for quality living and personal growth for family members. I see this movement as a new revolution and a new model for the country where needy families are being taken care of without involving government money. It gives us a powerful mantra that all should work together for the common good of J&K and its people,” LG Sinha said.
He said that the initiative features state-of-the-art, efficient, modern, resilient, and technologically advanced three-bedroom “smart houses”.
“These houses are slated for completion within just six months of foundation work and include dedicated facilities such as cowsheds to support rural livelihoods,” the LG said.
He said HRDS India would also provide an extensive social security package for beneficiary families.
“This holistic support includes 15 years of free life insurance and annual health check-ups for all family members,” LG Sinha said. “To ensure long-term sustainability, HRDS India will also provide maintenance of the houses for the next five years.”
Earlier, the LG had laid the foundation stones for 1869 houses for families affected due to Pakistani shelling during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and recent natural calamities in eight districts, including Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban, Jammu, Kathua, and Samba.
“In the past five years, we have integrated physical, social, and digital components to create the best infrastructure while prioritising a people-first approach to provide dynamism to the development of J&K,” he said. “Around 777 families received assistance for the marriage of their daughters. Under Kanjak Samriddhi Yojana, 565 young girls were provided with long-term financial security totaling Rs 9.49 crore. Under the Girl Child Adoption Scheme, 154 girls from Baridar families benefited from an outlay of Rs 3.2 crore.”
The LG also highlighted numerous infrastructure projects initiated over the last few years aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the ease of living of the people of Reasi district.
Addressing the long-pending demands of the people of the district, he promised that work on the underground sewerage system for Katra town would commence within the next six months.
“Master Plan for Katra is currently in its final stages and is slated for approval. Efforts are also being intensified for the establishment of the intermodal station,” LG Sinha said.
He lauded the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the entire team for their dedicated service and effective response during rescue and relief operations.
The LG shared the series of key initiatives undertaken by the SMVDSB.
“The construction of the Shankaracharya Temple in Katra, a Rs 30 crore project, is designed to enhance the spiritual landscape while boosting local economic opportunities. This follows the board’s successful completion of five temples in Reasi last year, with another five temples.
The board has made the promotion of Sanskrit and Vedic education a priority. This is highlighted by a Rs 1.5 crore funding grant to Kathua’s Chudamani Sanskrit Santhan Nyas and ongoing support for various Sanskrit and Ved Pathshallas and Gurukuls. The board’s Gurukul has achieved national distinction. The sustained efforts have also earned the SMVDSB numerous national-level awards for environmental excellence. The board has procured Rs 22 crore worth of products from local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Reasi and surrounding areas, with plans to scale this partnership to Rs 50 crore. The SMVDSB remains dedicated to community service, undertaking the reconstruction of 15 schools damaged by recent floods, and spending Rs 12 crore over the past seven years into the development of neighbouring villages. The construction of helipads at Katra and Shiv Khori, at Rs 27 crore, is in its final stages. These facilities, alongside the recently completed redevelopment of Shiv Khori, will soon be dedicated to the yatris to ensure a seamless yatra experience. The International Museum of the Goddess is also coming up in Katra,” he said.
LG Sinha highlighted several yatri-centric measures taken by the SMVDSB.
He said that the insurance cover for yatris has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
“Furthermore, the SMVDSB continues to prioritise the health of devotees, spending approximately Rs 4 crore annually toward medical treatment of yatris,” he said.
The LG also underscored the SMVDSB’s commitment to the welfare of Baridar families.
District Development Council (DDC) Reasi, Chairman, Saraf Singh Nag; Member of Legislative Assembly, Mata Vaishno Devi, Baldev Raj Sharma; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti; CEO SMVDSB, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Sarah Rizvi; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Reasi, Nidhi Malik and Associate Administrator, HRDS India, Vandana Pal, also attended the foundation stone laying ceremony.
