Shopian, Oct 27: On his maiden visit to Shopian, Javed Ahmad Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forests, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, reviewed the district’s development scenario and interacted with various delegations at the Circuit House.
During the visit, the minister held a series of meetings with representatives from different sectors, including MLAs, former MLAs, District Development Council (DDC) members, and local officials. The DDC delegation, led by Chairperson Bilqees Jan, presented a wide range of developmental issues facing the area.
The discussions encompassed various public welfare topics, including the construction of the Shopian-Poonch tunnel, quality water supply, electricity availability and tariff revisions, the Forest Rights Act, youth employment, road development, tribal welfare, education and tourism initiatives.
Minister Rana attentively listened to the concerns raised and assured action on all legitimate issues. He praised the ongoing initiatives of the district administration and committed the government’s support in addressing developmental demands and meeting local aspirations.
Emphasising collective responsibility, the minister directed the DDC of Shopian to initiate the process for establishing a Pahari Hostel in the district and instructed the revenue department to allocate land for constructing an Eklavya Model Residential School.
He highlighted the government’s special focus on tribal development, the completion of the Jal Jeevan Mission within the year, and the smooth facilitation of Forest Rights entitlements.
Later, District Development Commissioner Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar presented a department-wise status report on ongoing works and major projects, along with achievements across various sectors.
MLAs Showkat Hussain Ganie (Zainapora) and Shabir Ahmad Kullay (Shopian) also raised issues for the Minister’s attention.
Rana called for prioritising the highlighted public demands and instructed officers to ensure a transparent, responsive, and corruption-free public delivery system. He urged them to work diligently within their responsibilities to achieve timely results.
The review meeting was attended by SSP Shopian Anayat Ali, Director of Agriculture Chaudhary Mohammad Iqbal, ADDC Dr Nasir Ahmad Lone, ACR Shakoor Dar, and other district and sectoral officers.
