Udhampur district in Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as a frontrunner in the successful implementation of various agriculture and health benefit schemes initiated by the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During a media briefing after reviewing the implementation of diverse public welfare schemes in his Lok Sabha constituency of Udhampur-Kathua-Doda, Minister Dr Jitendra Singh expressed his satisfaction, highlighting that Udhampur has consistently outpaced other districts in this regard.
In the agriculture sector, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that Udhampur has achieved 100% saturation in the PM Kisan Yojana, providing annual support of Rs. 6,000 to 51,035 farmers. The district also attained full saturation by issuing Kisan Credit Cards to the same number of farmers. Additionally, the Soil Health Card program has successfully reached 63,880 agriculturists, ensuring 100% saturation. The PM Maan Dhan Yojana, offering a monthly pension to 10,585 farmers above the age of 60, has also achieved complete coverage.
Shifting focus to healthcare, Dr Jitendra Singh revealed that nearly 100% saturation has been achieved by distributing Golden Cards for Ayushman Bharat insurance to 4,31,738 beneficiaries, reaching 97.8% of the eligible target, with full coverage anticipated shortly.
Commending the district administration and all concerned departments for their swift action, Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated elected representatives for their proactive role in ensuring the effective implementation of central welfare schemes, reaching every Panchayat by associating themselves with ‘Modi ki Guarantee wali Gadi.’ Udhampur has consistently secured top ranks in the implementation of Central PMGSY road projects for the past 3 to 4 years.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced the completion of North India's first river rejuvenation project, ‘Devika,’ and plans to request Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate it. Dr Jitendra Singh reminisced about the discrimination faced by Udhampur before 2014, asserting that rapid development and widespread benefits to households have been witnessed since Prime Minister Modi took office. The region now boasts a network of roads in hilly terrains, and even remote villages have access to transportation.
Referring to the expansion of Udhampur railway station, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized its significance as it is possibly the first railway station in the country named after a martyr soldier, Captain Tushar Mahajan. He expressed the anticipation of Udhampur becoming a crucial railway junction in North India.
Dr Jitendra Singh proudly mentioned the Government Medical College, Udhampur, funded by the Modi government, making it one of the three centrally funded medical colleges in the Lok Sabha constituency. In a bid to promote local products, Dr Jitendra Singh revealed plans to encourage ‘Kalari’ as the district's flagship product, with a ‘Kalari Food Festival’ on the horizon.