MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 12: The development committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet here on Saturday approved Rs597.6 million schemes for the ‘multi-faceted uplift’ of the area.

An official handout reads that the meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, sanctioned construction of greater water supply plan at the town of Hajira in Poonch District, which would cost of Rs54.5 million. With the completion of the scheme, not only the population of Hajira, but also of its environs would get potable water.

The cabinet body also okayed construction of 150-bedded hospital in Palandari at a cost of Rs183.5 million. Another scheme of Rs63 million for the construction of central jail in Muzaffarabad was also sanctioned.

In the communications sector, it approved two schemes which included construction of the Gulpur-Kerot road in Kotli District at a cost of Rs86.5 million and Arja-Paniola road, connecting district Bagh and Poonch, at a cost of Rs80 million.

In the education sector, a Rs61.7 million scheme was approved for the acquisition of land, construction of buildings and purchase of equipment for the two colleges each for boys and girls in Kotli District. Another scheme of Rs8.2 million was also sanctioned under the foreign-aided Northern Resource Management Programme.

Speaking on the occasion, the AJK prime minister underlined the need of timely completion of the uplift projects in accordance with the laid down specifications. The delay, he pointed out, would not only deprive the population of the full benefits of the project, but would also led to the escalation of the projects cost.