* Reviews development efforts in Anantnag
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 15: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary expressed support for a liquor ban but highlighted that combating the drug crisis is a more urgent priority, as it is severely impacting the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Addressing the media in Anantnag following a review meeting with key MLAs, Choudhary stated that both the Lieutenant Governor and the Director General of Police must prioritize the fight against drug abuse.
“While we have long advocated for a ban on liquor, the drug crisis poses a far greater threat in J&K. We must eradicate it, as it is ravaging the younger generation,” he asserted.
“We urge the LG to instruct the police to take decisive action to tackle this issue. The DGP must also prioritize this, as we have witnessed drug abuse spreading into families, destroying lives,” he continued.
Discussing the restoration of statehood, he mentioned that a resolution had been passed in the first cabinet meeting. “In that initial meeting, we resolved to restore statehood. Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have assured us that statehood will be reinstated, along with discussions about special status for the protection of our land and jobs,” he stated.
Concerning the review meeting, he noted that officers failing to meet expectations have been cautioned that the operational landscape has shifted and efficiency is now imperative.
During the session, Choudhary instructed officers to ensure that the benefits of welfare and development initiatives reach the grassroots level.
“The district has varied topography, and it is crucial that the advantages of welfare programs and infrastructure development reach even the most remote communities,” he stressed.
The Deputy Chief Minister was leading the review of ongoing development activities in Anantnag district.
Representatives present included MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir; MLA Kokernag, Zafar Ali Khatana; MLA Anantnag West, Abdul Majeed Bhat; MLA Bijbehara, Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri; MLA Shangus-Anantnag East, Riyaz Ahmad Khan; and MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani, along with District Development Commissioner Syed Fakhrudin Hamid; departmental heads; and sectoral officers. During the review of various projects, Choudhary was informed about the district administration’s focus on infrastructure enhancement, grievance resolution, heritage preservation, and prioritized planning.
He was updated that the district administration is implementing a quality analysis of grievances through the JK Samadhan-Raabta to ensure timely and effective resolution of public concerns.
While examining the status of significant proposed public projects, such as the Mini Secretariat, district-level auditorium, and flyovers for traffic management, the Deputy Chief Minister noted the potential of these initiatives to significantly improve the district’s living conditions.
Choudhary also assessed the infrastructure works carried out by several departments, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and Jal Shakti.
Meanwhile, the legislators brought attention to key public issues affecting their constituencies, which included the construction of access roads, road connectivity for Scheduled Tribes and isolated areas, upgrading healthcare facilities like Sub District and Trauma hospitals, building a Dak Bungalow in Dooru, enhancing drinking water and irrigation systems, desilting water channels, boosting tourism in Pahalgam and Kokernag, and establishing Industrial Training Institutes.
