Saroori meets Azad, Singh in Delhi.

Urges construction of Singhpora-Vailo tunnel; sanction of Sub centre, PHC.

Creating extra 4000 SPO post; sanction of pending road projects under militancy affected area scheme.

New Delhi, February 17: - Senior Congress Leader J&K and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, yesterday evening called on Hon’ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jenab Ghulam Nabi Azad and discusses latest political and development scenario of the State especially Erstwhile District Doda.

Saroori appraised him about the Sinthan Tunnel (Vailoo Singhpora) connecting Anantnag and Kishtwar Districts in Jammu and Kashmir which has already been approved by Government of India among ten such projects approved by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh.

Saroori informed that this tunnel is of prime importance both from defence purpose as well as from road connective purpose. It shall serve as an alternate route for Amarnath Pilgrims from Batote to Anantnag via Kishtwar and also lessen the duration of journey from Jammu and Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh from 24 hours to 12 hours as it takes more than 24 hours to reach Himachal Pradesh from Kashmir valley. At present there is only one tunnel at Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which is over burdened. He informed that DG BR had already submitted the pre-feasibility report of the tunnel to Government of India, now necessary funds for feasibility report, DPR/final survey of this tunnel are released to the concerned and Border Road Organization (BRO) is directed to start the execution of the work at an earliest.

Saroori also demanded establishment of sub health centre at every 5 km and one primary health centre at every 10 km in the hilly and remote areas to improve the healthcare facilitates in the State.

Mr Azad assured Saroori that the matter of Sub centre and PHC is in active consideration of the Centre and decision would be taken shortly. Mr Azad said that the Centre would provide every assistance to the State to ensure all round development besides improving Medicare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Regarding tunnel Mr Azad on telephone called Shri C P Joshi Hon’ble Union Minister for Surface transport and demanded for early release of funds for feasibility report of Vailoo Singhpora tunnel and concern Minister assured that he will release funds for feasibility of Vailoo Singhpora tunnel shortly.

In another separate meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs Shri Kunwar Ratanjit Pratab Narain Singh, Saroori apprised him about various problems confronting people of erstwhile District Doda.

Saroori demanded that a special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of the State in Central Government services may be undertaken, as the State has limited resources. He also sought minister’s personal intervention for creating extra 4,000 Special Police Officer (SPO) posts for erstwhile District Doda, he further demanded the wages of SPOs may be increased from Rs 3,000 to 10,000 in view of present market fluctuation.

Saroori also demanded to expedite sanction of all the pending road projects submitted to Union Government under militancy affected area scheme.
 
Mr Singh gave patient hearing and assured that the Central Government will consider his demands on top priority.