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| Opening of Ladakh-Tibet border under consideration | | |
JAMMU, January 19 - Minister for Tourism, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. Mohammad Dilawar in reply to a question by Mr. Nasurullah regarding number of vacant posts in district Kargil said that against the sanctioned strength of 298 persons as many as 287 are working on regular establishment including 198 helpers in the PHE division of district Kargil.
He said 200 persons are engaged as casual labours on minimum need basis for operation and maintenance of various water supply schemes in PHE division Kargil as well as in PWD department division Zanaskar.
He said casual labours are engaged on minimum need basis for operation and maintenance of water supply schemes. The casual labours/persons engaged on need basis. Community participation basis after imposition of ban on 31.1.1994 are not entitled for regularization as per SRO-64.
In reply to another question by Ch. Bashir Ahmed Naaz, PHE Minister said an amount of Rs. 3406.67 lakhs has been spent on Flood Control Works in the state from April 2005 to 12/2006. This includes NABARD loan of Rs. 1071.16 lakhs and state share of Rs. 1802.75 lakhs.
In reply to another question by Mr. G. N. Lone, the Minister said that most of the habitations in district Budgam are provided potable drinking water, however there are 103 uncovered habitations out of which 29 habitations having the status of NC/PC will be covered during the current financial year (2006-07) under ongoing programmes. The remaining habitations will be covered by the end of 2009.
He said there are 12 functional filtration plans with total capacity of 3.18 MGD in district Budgam benefiting about 2.26 lakh population.
He said ten filtration plants are proposed to be taken up during next financial year 2007-08 with a total capacity of 2.47 MGD, subject to the availability of funds.
In reply to another question by Mr. P. Namgyal regarding the opening of age- old traditional Ladakh-Tibet border for trade, tourism and pilgrimage, the Tourism Minister said over a period of time the matter is being taken up at various levels with the Central Government.
He said the then Chief Minister keeping the aspirations of the people of Ladakh in view had taken up the matter with the then Prime Minister of India vide communication dated 21.10. 1997 in response to this, the then Prime Minister vide his letter date 29.10.1997 had intimated that the matter was being looked into.
He said the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India New Delhi vide their letter dated 18th November 2003 had taken up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The matter was again taken up by Government of J&K (Tourism Department) with the Ministry of Tourism, vide communications dated 19.12.2003 and dated 8.6.2004. A communication on 20.3.2006 was again made with the Ministry of Home Affairs by the Tourism Department J&K informing them about the Resolution moved by the MLC P. Namgyal on the floor of the House in the session August 2004 for opening the international border between Ladakh and Tibet (China) at Demchok to promote tourism, trade and pilgrimage and for taking up the mater with Government of China during the next round of border discussion. Reminders were sent to GOI by J&K government (Tourism Deptt) vide communications dated 10.07.2006 and 13.10.2006. The Resident Commissioner, J&K at New Delhi had highlighted the issue in the conference of border infrastructure development held on 28th November 2006, as intimated vide his letter dated 30.11.2006 and the office of the GOI had informed that the matter has been taken up with the China government but response was still awaited.
He said besides the above communications the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh Affairs Department is taking up the issue with the Government of India from time to time. Vide their letter dated 25.10.2004, the GOI, Ministry of Home Affairs, had responded to Ladakh Affairs Department that the issue had been raised by the then HPM Mr. A. B. Vajpayee at the highest level during his visit to China in June, 2003. The China side had conveyed that they would consider the request according to the conditions in Tibet and the matte was being followed by the Ministry of External Affairs (GOI).
In reply to another question by Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma regarding inquiry ordered by Chief Minister during DDB meeting at Rajouri, the Minister said that the inquiry was entrusted to police department, he said contents of inquiry report are awaited. However, as per decision taken in Cabinet-cum-Board meeting held at Jammu on 21.12.2006, a committee comprising three engineers has already been constituted vide Government Order No. 408-PW (Hyd) of 2006 dated 26.12.2006 for conducting preliminary inquiry into the alleged irregularities committed by the officers/officials of PHE Department Rajouri in execution of works.
In reply to another question by Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri regarding irrigation facilities to Gaziabad Langate, the Minister said the construction of tank was not completed in time due to paucity of funds and turmoil in the valley. However, this tank has bee constructed at a cost of Rs. 31.00 lakhs and made functional during 2004-05.
In reply to another question by Mr. Bilal Ahmed Lodhi regarding construction of bund at Beerwah, Mr. Mir said there is no such other proposal under consideration of the government however, he assured that very soon a survey would be conducted in the area in this behalf.
In reply to another question by Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Minister said Athwatoo in Bandipora is already on the tourist map. The tourism department has not conducted any survey for a circular road from Athwatoo upto Sonarwani via Arin and Boothoo and have no plans at present to do the same.
He said the installation of chairlift, ropeway at the spot would require conduct of an economic/feasibility survey to assess the suitability of the project. A feasibility survey would be conducted in due course of time for installation of a chairlift at Baba Shakurid-Din (Watlab), Mr. Mir said.
In reply to another question by Mrs. Farida Mir regarding quality and production of walnuts in the state, the Tourism Minister said in order to improve the quality production and productivity of walnuts in the state, the Government has initiated steps for propagation of walnut trees by budding grafting walnut plants and distribute material among farmers so as to reduce the gestation period of walnut trees from 10 years (seedling origin) to 4-6 years. It will also improve the quality of the nut, promote the concept of uniformity in shape, size and texture. In order to increase the production of budded/grafted walnut planting material, one walnut nursery is under establishment at Zakura, Srinagar and another at Siot Rajouri, where quality plant material are being developed. The foreign exchange earned through export of Dry Fruits mainly walnuts has reached a level of Rs. 115.95 crores in 2005-06.
In another question by Miss Sakina Ittoo, the Minister for PHE, Tourism and Flood Control said that 152 water supply schemes under various programmes have been taken up during the last two years in district Anantnag of which 130 schemes were completed in 2004-05 and 22 in 2005-06.
He said 30 water supply schemes are presently ongoing in Noorabad constituency which includes 26 water supply schemes taken up during last two years. An amount of Rs. 5.03 crores have been utilized on these schemes upto 3.2006. he said 156 works have been executed after proper tendering system and 40 works of taken-up in the constituency.
In reply to a question by Mr. Amrit Malhotra regarding Rural Employment Scheme, the Minister of State for Rural Development Department, Mr. Javeed Mustafa Mir said the national Rural Employment Guarantee scheme has been launched in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir viz Doda, Kupwara and Poonch from 2nd February, 2006.
He said as many as 112740 persons were provided employment and an amount of Rs. 41.13 crore were distributed under the scheme till date.
In reply to another question by Mr. Nazir Ahmad Mir regarding empowerment of BDOs, Mr. Javid Mustafa Mir said an additional block at Thanamandi Rajouri has been created vide Government order No. 45-RD of 2004 dated 28.2.2004 by internal adjustment without formal creation of staff and provision of appropriate budget. The matter is being pursued for creation of requisite staff and provision of budget. As soon as the needful would be done, further steps for granting of DDO powers to the BDOs would be initiated.
He further said sofar no additional block has been created at Doongi. However, the case in this regard is under consideration and appropriate action in due course of time would be taken on normative basis alongwith similar other pending demands for creation of additional blocks.
He said an amount of Rs. 204.40 lakhs has been spent in Poonch and Rajouri districts from April 2005 to December, 2006 on Flood Control works, the break up of which is Rs. 53.50 lakhs in Rajouri and Rs. 150.90 lakhs in Poonch.
He said an amount of Rs. 1364.60 lakhs has been spen |
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