Jora distributes RS.72.86 lakh among 255 houseless beneficiaries, Directs for focussed attention on Historical Town Sopore

BEIGH SHAMIM AHMED:- , JUNE 5: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Mr. NawangRigzinJora  Wednesday said  that on the directions of UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister , Dr. Manmohan Singh a special scheme, popularly known as  JawaharLal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM) has been introduced in the country to focus  on developing the basic infrastructure and the development and beautification of major towns and cities and to develop them on the modern lines with all the requisite  latest facilities,.The Minister was addressing a large gathering at a function held at Sopore Dak Bunglow after distributing cheques worth Rs. 72.86 lakhs among  255 identified houseless beneficiaries as financial assistance under the centrally sponsored Scheme Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme(IHSDP).He said that this amount is second and third instalment for construction of their houses.On the occasion, he was informed that the said scheme has been sanctioned at a cost project of Rs.557.50 lakh, covering 446 beneficiaries so far. He was also told that 50% of Rs.229.53 lakh, the released amount  has been expended  till date .He was further told that  211 Dwelling units stand completed while the work on 158 Dwelling units is in progress against 369  units taken up for the execution. However, the work on 77 dwelling units is yet to be taken in hand.Throwing light on the historical significance of the Sopore Town, the Minister said the Town has produced a number of scholars, politicians, Statesmen, Lawyers, Academicians, and top level bureaucratic and hoped that in future, the Sopore town will continue its legacy of producing luminaries.The Minister assured that special focus would be paid on the development of this historical town and added that the requisite funds for raising necessary infrastructure for the benefit of the people will be arranged for the concerned agencies for carrying out the necessary works.MLA Sopore, Haji Mohammad Ashraf, Ex-MLA, Haji Abdul Rasheed ,Director Local Bodies, Kashmir, Mr. Shafat Noor Balas,Senior congress leader Surrinder singh Channi,SDM, Sopore, Executive Officers of Pattan, Kupwara, and Sopore were present on the occasion.Responding to the demands of the people, the Minister directed SDM Sopore to call a meeting with the MLA Sopore and other local leaders and senior citizen for sorting out the problem of dumping the garbage as early as possible, as the land for dumping the said garbage has already been identified at Aadipora.The Minister also convened a meeting   of the concerned officers to solve the drainage problem of the town. On the occasion, the Minister also directed the Municipal Officers to pay special attention to set right the sewerage system of the town.Mr. Jora also discussed construction of new Bus Adda and a public park with the MLA, Ex MLA and other Senior officers and civil members. He asked the concerned officers to submit proposals for early funding.MLA Sopore, Ex-MLA and Director Local Bodies also spoke on the occasion.