Mehbooba asks bureaucracy to deliver projects on time

Jammu, Apr 12: Asserting that real efficiency lies in delivering projects on time, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked the bureaucracy not to show laxity as they are custodians of development and the people have huge expectations.

She made the comments at a meeting called to assess the progress achieved on the commitments made by her father and late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on several development projects.

"The real efficiency lies in delivering public infrastructure within the stipulated timelines. The officers are custodians of development and therein lie the huge expectations of the people on the development front," she said and exuded confidence that the officers will put their best foot forward.

"If fund crunch was the problem in the past, nowadays it is the struggle over efficiently executing development projects and achieving desired results that hold us back," she stated.

The Chief Minister took a detailed review on the forward movement achieved on cross-LoC Trade and Travel at two crossing points of Salamabad in Baramulla and Chakan da Bagh in Poonch, which she said were described by late Mufti as the 'show-window' for travellers from across the LoC.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Shailendra Kumar, said a fresh list of additional items to be included in the already approved list of 21 items has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs which will be taken up for approval in the next meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and Pakistan.

On the smooth navigation from present barter system of trade to banking system for cross-LoC trade, Kumar said RBI has agreed to discuss the issue with Pakistan in the meeting of the joint working group.

He said for smooth movement of trucks in and out of the terminals at Chakan da Bagh and Salamabad, tenders have been floated for procurement of full body scanners and the same shall be installed over the next 18 months.

On being asked about the new features in the recently-announced State Industrial Policy, the Chief Minister was apprised that issues related to change of constitution, maintenance of industrial estates, e-trade in famed Handicraft products, self-attestation and delegation of financial powers to subordinate officers have been taken care of in a pragmatic way.

In the Tourism sector, Mehbooba got first-hand appraisal on developing Mantalai in Udhampur district as an International Yoga Centre and bringing several areas like

Abdullian and Chamlyal within the ambit of border tourism, on pattern of Suchetgarh. She also stressed upon outsourcing high-end assets like Pahalgam Club, which will generate revenue that can be ploughed back in developing the highly-remunerative travel industry in the state.

In order to position Gulmarg as valley's premier travel destination, the Tourism Secretary said the heritage masterpiece Maharaja Palace, helipad, waiting terminal in Gandola premises and a new restaurant are ready for inauguration.

A revised plan of Rs 198.65 crore for up-gradation of roads leading to tourist destinations has also been formulated, the meeting was told.

PTI