‘All new projects will be completed within stipulated timeframe’
Asks people to avoid encroachment of rivers, streams
Kupwara: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Abdul Haq Khan on Saturday laid foundation of flood channels in Kupwara and Lolab constituencies to be constructed under convergence programme. He said a network of new flood-channels and protection bunds is being constructed in the Rural Development sector under the convergence plan to prevent losses during any future threat.
The Minister laid foundation stone of flood channels in Varnu, Aasan Lolab and Suipora, Kupwara. The flood channels will help in diverting water in case of floods that will save lives and agricultural land. It will also help in irrigation of agricultural land.
Abdul Haq while addressing the people at Aasan Lolab said the government lead by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is committed to bring the state out of the dark era of development deficit and misgovernance it has faced in the past. He said it is the wish of Chief Minister to see the state growing in all aspects – be it social, political or economic.  
Abdul Haq later inspected various under construction projects to take stock of the construction works. He also inspected the construction of Chandigam Irrigation Storage Tank and asked the engineers to complete the works as soon as possible.
The Minister was accompanied by MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar and DC Kupwara besides a team of concerned engineers.
Minister said he has prioritized flood related works in Rural Development sector to safeguard public properties from suffering losses during floods. He said the Prime Minister's special package of Rs 80000 crores will help the State to develop a solid flood protection infrastructure that will include dredging of rivers and streams, construction of Bunds and flood channels.
Minister said besides special package, he has converged funds under MGNREGA and 13th FC for flood related works which has received a good response on ground. He said such works will serve two purposes, “One people will get jobs under MGNREGA and second it will protect the village from floods”.
The Minister made it clear that he won’t allow misuse of funds in rural development sector on political considerations, a practice which was rampant during the previous regime. He said under the new concept of convergence of funds, sustainable assets are being created under MGNREGA in the rural areas instead of resorting to futile works on political considerations.
The Minister said several initiatives are in pipeline on developmental front to ensure all round transformation of the developmental landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the productive use of funds in rural development sector will be instrumental in changing socio-economic profile of the people living in the rural areas, besides creating much needed employment opportunities.
Stressing on the people to avoid encroaching the state land especially in flood prone areas, Abdul Haq said the encroachers will be dealt with strictly. “I have given clear cut directions to officers that no encroachment will be allowed. We will remove all encroachments that are identified during execution of flood protection project,” he added.