Rana Holds Constructive Dialogue with Prominent Intellectuals and Civil Society Members in Poonch

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

POONCH AUGUST 15:-In a significant outreach initiative, the Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, held an interactive session with prominent intellectuals, former civil servants and members of civil society in Poonch today.

The session witnessed vibrant and insightful discussions on the prevailing socio-economic, health and educational challenges facing the district.

During the deliberations, participants highlighted key concerns regarding educational infrastructure, healthcare services and overall developmental gaps in the district.

Emphasis was laid on the urgent need for systemic reforms and administrative intervention to uplift the standard of living, particularly in remote and underdeveloped areas.

Civil society representatives suggested a series of strategic interventions aimed at building a more empathetic, inclusive and morally responsible society, rooted in ethical values.

They stressed the importance of community engagement, youth empowerment and value-based education to strengthen the district’s social fabric.

Importantly, civil society members also urged the Minister to take effective and concrete steps for the preservation and promotion of local culture, heritage and indigenous tribal languages, recognizing them as vital elements of the region’s identity and diversity.

They further urged the Minister to leverage his position within the Government to ensure tangible improvements in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure.

Concerns were raised about the shortage of qualified teaching and medical staff, inadequate educational facilities and the need for improved accessibility to healthcare services across the district.

A key highlight of the interaction was the discussion around the untapped tourism potential of Poonch, with stakeholders strongly advocating for the promotion of sustainable tourism.

They underlined the strategic importance of completing critical infrastructure projects, especially the Mughal Road tunnel and the Loran-Tangmarg Road, which are vital to improving year-round connectivity with the Kashmir Valley.

Responding to the concerns, Minister Javed Ahmed Rana assured the attendees of his full commitment towards the holistic development of Poonch.

He emphasized that inclusive dialogue and active civic participation are essential for effective governance and assured that the feedback and recommendations shared would be taken up at the highest levels for appropriate action.

The Minister also reiterated the Omar Abdullah Government’s focus on equitable regional development, environmental sustainability, eco-tourism and tribal welfare, and highlighted several initiatives already underway to address some of the issues raised during the session.

The interactive meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for continued collaboration between the Government and civil society to address developmental challenges and to pave the way for a more prosperous and connected Poonch.