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| 3-yrs on, Billawar-Duggan Development Authority yet to become functional | | Residents of Kathua hilly areas hoodwinked? | | SANJAY PATHAK
EARLY TIMES REPORT
KATHUA, July 16: The much publicized decision of creating Billawar-Duggan Development Authority, announced over 3 years ago, continues to remain on papers only, thus befooling lakhs of people of this Sub Division.
On February 13, 2017 then BJP-PDP coalition government had approved Billawar-Duggan Development Authority for the development of tourism infrastructure in these areas. But even after the lapse of more than 3 years, the government has neither appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) nor made any effort to post even a single employee to this Authority.
“Kathua district has lots of potential in the tourism sector. There are many places in Billawar Sub-Division which could be developed as attractive tourist destinations.
The hilly areas of Macheddi and Duggan are full of scenic beauties as well as chilling weather in summers too,” said Sunil Kumar, a local of Billawar.
The people of this hilly area while expressing their anguish said that former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, former Cabinet ministers Choudhary Lal Singh and Rajiv Jasrotia in previous PDP-BJP coalition government belonged to Kathua district, but despite of this fact they failed to even start the functioning of this Authority. “The previous government made only big announcements but did nothing on ground. The BJP ministers who represented the district in the state cabinet turned mute spectators to official apathy towards the district,” alleged locals.
With the setting up of Billawar-Duggan Development Authority, the local youth had pinned hopes that they might get employment opportunities but government’s indifferent attitude towards this Authority so far has shattered their hopes.
It is in place to mention here that Billawar Sub-Division is not only famous for its picturesque locations but is also known for its religious places which provide enough scope for religious tourism as well in this part of district Kathua.
Shrines like ancient Lord Shiva Temple in Billawar, Sukrala Mata and Bala Sundari are being thronged by the devotees not only from J&K but also from other parts of the country. |
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