Bhalla unveils Maj Babber statue at Sainik Colony

      Jammu, October 23 (Scoop News)-Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation  Raman Bhalla today said that army   has played a vital role in fighting militancy during turmoil in   Jammu and Kashmir adding that their supreme sacrifices helped in restoring peace in the State. 

This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering after unveiling statue of Maj Inderjeet Babbar (Kiriti Chakra) at Sector-C in Sainik Colony at a function organized by Shaheed Samark, here today.

Paying rich tributes to valiant soldiers who lost their lives while protecting the sovereignty of the country, he said like hundereds of army soldiers Maj I S Babber, sacrificed his life on June 17, 2003 while fighting militancy in Assam.

The Minister said the   the nation owes much to Army as it   safeguards the   nation from the enemies, while people sleep inside their homes. He said   the country’s long borders encompassing different geographical and climatic conditions such as desert terrain on the west, snow-covered mountains in the north and thick rain fed mountainous jungles in the east, the army has to constantly prepare itself for diverse challenges. In addition, the Army is often required to assist the civil administration during internal security disturbances and in the maintenance of law and order, in organising relief operations during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and cyclones and in the maintenance of essential services. Role of the Army have increased manifold due to continuous deployment of its forces in intense counter insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern parts of the country, he added. To achieve these objectives, the Army has to be constantly modernised, suitably structured, equipped and trained.

On the occasion, army officers, jawans, prominent citizens, officers of different departments besides locals and family members of Maj I S Babber also paid rich tributes to the valiant soldier.

Earlier, at Govind Nagar in Digiana,  Bhalla laid foundation for construction of edge walls along a local nallah, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 12 lakh. He asked the Urban Environmental Engineering Department to complete the project within stipulated time frame.  

Interacting with the locals, the Minister informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 17 lakh for upgradation of drinking water facilities in Roop Nagar at Digiana and Chak Biza in Trikuta Nagar. He said instructions were issued to executing agency to immediately start the work for laying of  10” dia pipes in the areas so that the locals could get relief from water scarcity.

At Digiana near Gurudwara ashram,  Bhalla inspected ongoing construction works of footpaths, waiting shed besides surface drain at graveyard, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 11 lakh. He asked the executing agency to complete the works within stipulated time frame.

The Minister informed that Government has approved Rs. 68 lakh under Rashtriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for construction of  additional rooms, varanda including construction of compound wall at Government High School, Digiana. He said instructions were issued to executing agency to demolish unsafe declared rooms immediately and start fresh construction for them. He said the project is under progress on war-footing and would be completed within stipulated time frame.

Addressing a large gathering,  Bhalla said Central Government has allocated Rs  60 crore under RAMSA for opening and upgrading of High and Higher Secondary Schools in every constituency of the State with latest infrastructural facilities adding 69 schools would be upgraded under the scheme across the state.