Roads, education top J

Jammu, Jun 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded highest priority to the education and road communication sectors, both being the engines for speedier socio-economic transformation, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today.

Addressing a public rally at Mahore and Banna in Reasi district, Mr Azad said the government's development strategy would soon make J and K one of the developed states in the country.

He said healthcare, water and power supply and other crucial sectors have also been given focused attention to ensure basic amenities to the people in all areas of the state.

Asserting that the State and Central Governments had formulated a comprehensive strategy for the development purpose, the Chief Minister said, ''it is a historic opportunity for the people of the state to take benefit of the development initiatives made by the government.'' Appreciating the Central Government for providing liberal funding to Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Azad called upon the people to become stakeholders in the massive infrastructure building in the state.

Maintaining that education is a key to prosperity, he said to afford facilities of education to the students at their doorsteps, a network of schools, degree colleges, university campuses, technical and professional educational institutions has been created in all parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced an amount of Rs 20 lakh for the construction of building for primary health centre at Banna and issued instructions for completing it in a time-bound manner.

UNI VJ ARB NS2001