Reaffirming focus of government towards development of rural belts, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali has said that the present dispensation has released adequate funds during the past 2 years for the development of Darhal assembly segment Interacting with a deputation from Phalni Samote area of Budhal, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali had a detailed review of their issues pertaining to basic amenities besides taking stock of development works being executed in their respective areas.Expressing satisfaction over liberal funding by the government for rural belts of the state, Zulfkar said that during 2014 election campaign, he briefed former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed about the importance of Anas Canal project and after taking over as Chief Minister, in his first public address at Kotranka he laid foundation stone of this Rs 100 crore project.The Minister said that Kotranka-Khawas road, lying in dilapidated condition for the past many decades, has now got Rs 76 crore under Central Road Fund (CRF), which is the biggest ever funding to any road in the area.
Elaborating on other achievements in the area, Zulfkar informed that the Government Medical College, a dream project, will soon come up in Mehra Nagrota area for which government has released Rs 200 crore. He added that the government has already released Rs 15 crore for Samote Kewal Road, Rs 76 crore for Mirasi Morh-Baglaykote -Kotranka road which will be alternate link to connect the area, Rs 2.29 crore for Rajouri -Darhal road, Rs 1.23 crore for Kotdhara-Karhad road and Rs 1.7 crore for Kangar Gali to Panihad road.He said work has been initiated on Girls Tribal Hostel at Mehra whereas ITI College and Amusement Park in Kotranka have already been approved.The Minister said the coalition government under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti is committed to develop rural areas at par with urban areas of the state. He said he is thankful to former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and present Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for their support in development of Darhal-Budhal area.Highlighting the importance of Budhal– Shopian road, the Minister said that this road is a dream of people and it will be realized soon.