NRHM to be extended to hilly areas: Azad

Union Minister for Health Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that possibilities will be explored for scaling down the criterion laid down under National Rural Health Mission for setting up health institutions in hilly and far-flung areas. He said, “With scattered population in hills, they fail to qualify for opening of Health institutions under the existing norms of NRHM.” He said that as he himself hails from the hills and is aware of the problems being faced by the people there in getting basic health care facilities, adding that the unless the reach of basic amenities is extended to every nook and corner of the state, real development cannot take place. This was stated by the Union Minister while addressing public rally at Batote here today. He also addressed people at Tikri, Udhampur, Samroli, Patnitop and Assar enroute his three-day tour to Udhampur and erstwhile Doda districts after becoming Union minister for Health. People in large numbers had gathered along both sides of the road showering flower petals and raising slogans hailing his induction into the Union cabinet. Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, Member Parliament Ch. Lal Singh, MLAs Mr. Krishan Chander Bhagat, Mr. G. M. Saroori, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Mr. Shabeer Khan, Mr. Abdul Majeed Wani, Mr. Vikar Rasool, former minister Mr. Yogesh Sawhney, former MP, Janak Raj Gupta and Councilors also accompanied Mr. Azad. Mr. Azad said that the creation of eight new districts was the landmark decision of the government headed by him to achieve speedy development of far-flung and hilly areas of the state. “Driven by the goal of equitable development of all regions of J&K, we created new administrative units and within a record time of six months made them functional, he said, adding that at all the district headquarters mini secretariats are coming up where all the departments will be housed under one umbrella for the facility of the people. Assuring liberal central funding for all the ongoing schemes in the state, Mr. Azad said that Central government is fully aware of their problems and developmental needs of the State adding that Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi would extend their liberal help to the state government for taking the State towards peace and prosperity. Deliberating on the unemployment problem being faced by the educated youth in the state, the Union Minister said that 4-5 new power projects are being taken up in the Chenab basin where local youth will be absorbed. He said that with the completion of Dul Hast and Baghliar power projects, the power supply in the state will be augmented manifold. Stressing on exploring virgin tourists sites, Azad said that the stretch from Udhampur, Batote, Doda, Patnitop, Baghliar lake has tremendous tourism potential which needs to be harnessed. He asked the Tourism minister Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora to devise a comprehensive strategy for diverting the pilgrims coming to Mata Vaishno Devi to these tourists’ spots in Jammu for boosting local economy. This, he said would provide greater opportunities to youth to venture into tourism industry. The Union minister announced that the Fruit processing plant coming up at Bhadarwah would be ready by July this year which will improve marketability and shelf life of the fruit produce. He asked the fruit growers to sell their low grade produce under market intervention scheme to maximize their profitability. The Union Minister for Health said that the large scale development process initiated by the Congress led Government in the State during his tenure as Chief Minister would continue and adequate funding would be made available to complete the on-going and new projects in the State. He called upon the officers of different development departments to accomplish the ongoing works in a stipulated time frame. Responding to the demand of public for opening up Trauma Centre along National Highway at Tikri, Mr. Azad said that every effort would be made to equip the existing PHC, Tikri for providing medicare to accident victims by strengthening existing healthcare infrastructure. Other demands of the public at Tikri included Ambulance for PHC Tikri, early commissioning of Magnesite project at Panthel etc. At Batote, he asked the Health Minister to submit a proposal for upgradation of Accidental Hospital at Batote. He also inspected Sher-i- Kashmir Memorial Emergency Hospital at Batote and enquired about the facilities being provided to the patients. He also interacted with the public at Udhampur, Samroli, Chenani and Batote, who presented to him a charter of demands related to their respective areas. Mr. Azad also inaugurated a Community hall-cum- adult education centre at Batote. Meanwhile, Mr. Azad along with Deputy Chief Minister distributed cheques worth Rs. 6.90 lakh to 23 beneficiaries under Urban Housing scheme for construction of houses for the urban poor.