Poonch, Dec 21: Member of Parliament Rajouri–Poonch–Anantnag Constituency Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi on Sunday chaired the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting here at Dak Bunglow to review the progress of centrally sponsored schemes, flagship programmes and social security initiatives in the district.

The meeting was attended by DDC Chairperson Tazim Akhter; MLA Haveli Ajaz Ahmed Jan; MLA Surankote Ch. Mohammad Akram; District Development Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma; Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik; Senior Superintendent of Police Shafket Hussain Bhat, along with executive engineers, district officers and heads of various line departments.
At the outset, the District Development Commissioner presented a detailed overview of achievements and progress under key schemes including MGNREGA, IWMP, NRLM, Social Security Schemes and initiatives under the Education sector, Health Sector, Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture and Horticulture, Fisheries, besides others.
Commending the district administration for its performance under centrally sponsored initiatives, MP Mian Altaf stressed the need for greater public outreach to generate mass awareness about the government schemes at the grassroots level. He directed officials to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects.
The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) briefed the meeting on beneficiaries receiving assistance under social security schemes such as old age pensions, widow and divorcee assistance, support for persons with disabilities, the State Marriage Assistance Scheme and achievements under SANKALP – Hub for Empowerment of Women and the One Stop Centre.
Emphasising the importance of developing quality infrastructure, the MP urged the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to expedite blacktopping of important roads. The OC GREF apprised the meeting about the status of road projects and the Bhathduria Tunnel.
The MP directed for expediting completion of the Dera Gali–Surankote road stretch. He further called for encouraging youth and farmers to set up value addition units by availing Agriculture, Horticulture and Sheep Husbandry schemes, highlighting their potential for livelihood generation. He further stressed strengthening the health sector and directed authorities to ensure 24x7 health services for the public.
MLA Haveli and MLA Surankote raised various local developmental issues and issued directions to concerned officers for prompt redressal and effective implementation of works.