Omar tees-off Times Golf Tournament

             SRINAGAR, JULY 07 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as choicest golf resort for its promising locational diversification and world-class golf courses. He said that golf courses at Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Jammu are attracting golfers from all over the country and the completion of another golf course at Ladakh would complete the golf circuit of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that golfers could enjoy playing golf in different geographical conditions in the State enjoying the scenic beauty and charming locational diversification.

            Speaking at tee-off function of Times Golf Tournament at Royal Springs Golf Course here, the Chief Minister said that holding of tournaments like this would encourage golfers to participate and showcase the State as an interesting golf destination.

            The Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez informed that the tournament has been organized by Times of India Group of Newspapers in collaboration with State Tourism Department and other private companies. During the tournament 25 outstanding golfers would be shortlisted to participate at the North Zone Times Golf Tournament to be held at Chandigarh.

Omar reviews Jammu development

Asks administration to be prompt on service delivery

Inspects development works in city

Welcomes Indo-Pak talks

             JAMMU, JULY 07 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday reviewed the development of Jammu at a high level meeting he chaired here. The Chief Minister received detailed appraisal of measures underway to mitigate the difficulties of people and ensure prompt service delivery in various public service sectors.

            Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia, Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for CAPD, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib,Minister of State for Cooperation, Manohar Lal, Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, various Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

            Reviewing the power sector, the Chief Minister told the concerned department to address the difficulties of people in a befitting manner and improve the distribution and transmission system. He approved Rs. 2.33 crores proposal for upgrading distribution system and improving the supply of electricity. The meeting was told that the government has provided additional funds for the purchase of electricity to be supplied to the consumers in Jammu during the current hot summer months.

            Omar Abdullah also approved Rs. 3 crores for augmenting and upgrading the drinking water supply in the water scars areas through tanker service. He asked the PHE Department to ensure that drinking water is regularly supply in these areas to people through tanker services.

            The Chief Minister also took stock of the supply position of food grains and asked the CAPD Department to ensure smooth supply of essentials to the people especially in far-flung and remote areas.

            The Chief Minister while reviewing sewerage and drainage projects directed for early restoration of roads damaged due to laying of sewer lines. He was informed that Bhagwati Nagar Sewerage project has been almost completed while as 70 percent of sewer lining has been achieved.

            Omar Abdullah directed for addressing the fertilizer and seed requirements of farmers to ensure successful Kharief and increase in the production. It was informed that during the last Rabi one lakh quintals of wheat has been departmentally procured from the farmers. The Chief Minister also reviewed the flood protection works under progress in Jammu and said that the survey of affected families in wind storm should be conducted for their compensation. He also received information and status of various ongoing development schemes in various sectors in the division.

            The Chief Minister said that reaching out to people in all areas and ensuring equitable development is the governing principle of State’s development policy introduced by the coalition government. He asked the officers to be prompt to public requirements and ensure their difficulties are addressed properly.

            Omar Abdullah told the UEED, Irrigation and Power Development Departments to formulate detailed projects for the works these departments intend to launch in these sectors. “You should come up with financial and other details of the long term projects, you envisage so that government arranges funds for these accordingly”, he said.

            Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta presented detailed account of progress achieved on development front in the Jammu division and said that all efforts are on to complete the schemes within the prescribed time frame. He said the administration at all levels has been sensitized in this regard.

            The Chief Minister later inspected the construction work of new Assembly Complex Jammu, he reviewed the progress of work on 4^th bridge over Tawi and artificial lake being developed there. He was told that 4^th bridge is likely to be completed this year while the work on development of artificial lake is in full swing.

            The Chief Minister also received presentation on Rs. 95 crores Vikram Chowk flyover. He got the appraisal of the blue print of the project and directed for early ground breaking for the project.

            Omar Abdullah visited Yatri Niwas and received the status of arrangements being provided to yatries of Shri Amarnath Ji. He interacted with yatries enquired of their welfare and received appraisal of the facilities being provided to them. He inspected the kitchen, medical unit and Tourism Department counter in Yatri Niwas and examined facilities being provided to yatries.

            Speaking to media on the side lines of his city tour, the Chief Minister in reply to a question regarding Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan welcomed the dialogue and expressed the hope that the issues between the two countries would be solved in an amicable manner through a sustained dialogue process.

            “We would like flourishing of LoC trade and removal of all bottlenecks in its growth alongwith easing the visa regime”, he added and emphasized the need for focusing these issues in the talks between the two countries.