CM orders faster works in Anantnag, opens ₹52-crore projects

Use the good weather before winter, Omar tells officers; nodal officers for snow clearance, LPG buffer stocks, fortnightly CAPEX checks
BuzzBytes
Highlights
• CM chairs Anantnag review on development, winter preparedness and public services
• Projects worth ₹52 crore inaugurated or started
• JJM schemes at Semthan, Shoul Sarsuna and Chontipora Baghwanpora opened; road and bridge works begin
• Banks told to speed up Mission YUVA cases; funds must not lapse
Anantnag, Oct 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday told officers in Anantnag to pick up the pace of development works, saying the district has only a short working season left before winter.
Chairing a high-level meeting during his district outreach, the Chief Minister reviewed development progress, winter preparedness and delivery of public services. He told departments to speed up ongoing projects, implement government schemes better and settle public grievances on time.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said overall progress was satisfactory but execution had to gather speed over the next two to three months. “There is still time before the financial year ends, but we do not have much of the working season left. Fortunately, the weather is good, and officers have been instructed to take advantage of it,” he said.
On winter, the Chief Minister asked Roads and Buildings, Mechanical Engineering, municipalities, Urban Local Bodies, PMGSY and other agencies to work together for timely snow clearance, and ordered nodal officers to be designated so that no road is left unattended. He directed adequate stocks of essential commodities, stronger LPG buffer stocks and uninterrupted emergency healthcare in snow-bound areas. He also called for strict adherence to notified power curtailment schedules and prior notice to consumers about unscheduled cuts.
The review covered health, education, roads and infrastructure, youth empowerment, food and civil supplies, power and rural development. Omar asked for faster development of industrial estates and quicker welfare assistance to eligible beneficiaries, and directed banks to speed up disbursements under Mission YUVA so that young entrepreneurs can set up units.
Reviewing the District CAPEX Budget 2026-27, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and SASCI, he called for fortnightly monitoring and timely use of funds so that none lapse.
The Chief Minister inaugurated Jal Jeevan Mission water supply schemes at Semthan (₹6.29 crore), Shoul Sarsuna (₹5.66 crore) and Chontipora Baghwanpora (₹5.08 crore). He laid foundation stones for upgradation of the Ashajipora-Donipawa road (₹3.61 crore) and a steel girder bridge over Nallah Brengi at Her-Kandiwara (₹3.18 crore). The projects together are worth ₹52 crore.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Javed Rana, Javid Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, G A Mir, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Abdul Majeed Bhat, Zaffar Ali Khatana and Reyaz A Khan, ACS to the CM Dheeraj Gupta and Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohiuddin attended. Public representatives raised constituency demands and deputations met the Chief Minister, who said priority works would be taken up systematically.
On a new administrative complex for Anantnag town, raised by almost all legislators, he said the Deputy Commissioner would consult elected representatives, civil society and other stakeholders on the location. “Once the location is finalised, we will start preparing the Detailed Project Report,” he said.
Asked about a cricket stadium fit for Ranji Trophy matches, he said: “No one raised the issue of a stadium in today’s meeting. If a proposal comes, we will certainly discuss it.”