J&K CM takes first-hand appraisal of ongoing projects

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today toured several parts of the city to take first-hand appraisal of various restoration and ongoing projects.
During the tour, the chief minister visited the new Public Service Commission (PSC) Complex, Old Legislative Complex, new SPS Library, Old Zero Bridge, Botanical Garden and Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at Shalimar here, a spokesman said.
At the new PSC Complex, Chairman of PSC Lateef-uz-Zaman Deva brought to his notice the urgent need for an examination centre within the premises of the complex.
The Chief Minister agreed in principle to the proposal for constructing ground and first floor in Phase I for which deputy commissioner Srinagar was assigned the task to make land appurtenant to the PSC complex available.

He said the an in-house examination centre, with a seating capacity of 2,500, will facilitate conduct of competitive examinations and reduce dependence on other educational institutions.
Among a slew of measures to facilitate the prospective aspirants is the 'One Time Registration' (OTR), which will generate sms alerts to the candidates for posts which are commensurate with his or her qualification, the spokesman said.

He said Sayeed also visited the Old Legislature Complex, which is being restored with expertise from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Kashmir Chapter.
Sayeed went around the premises and was particularly enthralled by the old paper-machie work on the ceilings of the historic complex.

Comparing the Old Legislature Complex with Westminster Abbey, London, the Chief Minister stressed upon restoring its past glory.
The complex presently houses several offices including State Human Rights Commission, State Vigilance Commission, State Accountability Commission and the State Information Commission.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the new SPS Library Complex, where he issued directions for improving the quality of furniture in the library halls.
During his inspection of the Old Zero Bridge on Jhelum river, Sayeed said the structure should be restored by keeping its heritage value intact.
He also examined the model of food court at Botanical Garden to be installed on Zero Bridge to make it a heritage destination point for visitors, the spokesman said.

The Chief Minister later visited SKUAST-K, where he asked the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Nazir Ahmad to create extension linkages with the farming community so that they benefit from the research and experiments carried out by the university scientists.