observer bureau
JAMMU, JULY 22

The Chairman Legislative Council Mr. Amrit Malhotra, today called on the rural youth to promote local economy by tapping the huge potential in agriculture and its allied sectors
He asked them to avail incentives provided under self employment schemes for setting up ventures in potential fields like poultry, diary, fish and other farming.
The chairman was speaking at a public gathering in presence of the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Raman Bhalla, here at Chatha .
Mr. Malhotra said the Government has launched various self employment schemes for rural youth so that they can generate their income resources by starting their own ventures like poultry, sheep, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, bee-keeping, mushroom, retails shops, small scale and cottage industry. He highlighted the role of private sector in boosting industrialization in the State, adding that industrialization is the only solution for solving the challenges of unemployment problem in the State.
On the occasion, he announced Rs. 10 lakh out of his CDF for timely completion of playfield in the Chatha village so that the people could arrange their national as well as sports events at their door step stadia.
Speaking on the o0cassion, Revenue Minister, Mr Raman Bhalla said that the coalition Government was making all out efforts to improve the living standard of rural populace of the State by creating modern infrastructure facilities at par with urban pockets like multipurpose better roads, lanes, drains, schools, colleges, hospitals, playfields, electricity, safe drinking water and community halls.
Director Rural Development Department Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Raina, besides other senior officers of R&B, RDD, PHE and PDD were also present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla said that the coalition Government was paying focused attention for development of rural areas of the state, adding that in this regard a number of projects worth crores of rupees are under progress on war-footing.
The Minister said that the UPA Government headed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was very keen to develop every nook and corner of the State on modern lines, adding that for this purpose, central Government has recently sanctioned Rs. 8000 crore annual plan besides Rs. 1248 crore for construction and upgradation of road network in three regions of the State. He hoped that the people will cooperate with executing agencies in effective implementation of development works in their localities.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government has registered massive development in last year annual plan under key sectors like R&B, Education, health, RDD and Tourism.
Responding local demands, the Minister said the Government has released Rs. 35 lakh for construction of 1.3 kilometer long link road from Barzalla village to Chatha Matador stand. He said the project was under progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He said with the dedication of link road, the people of area would get relief from Kaccha road.
Regarding construction of playfield on available 8 kanals of land, Mr. Bhalla said that the foundation of the project has already been laid at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore in Chatha village to meet the necessity of the sports lovers. He said that the project would be completed by April 2013 having facilities of seating steps, pavilion, changing room and toilet block. He said he has also released Rs. 10 lakh out of CDF for the project.
The Minister asked the young generation to take part in sports activities side by side academic education for their overall personality development. He said such activities make them physically and mentally fit.