My government will continue to break new grounds in development: Mufti Mohammed Sayeed

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said his government will continue to break new grounds in development and innovative ways will be found to develop various sectors of the economy of the state.

"My government will continue to break new grounds in development, which will translate into greater economic benefits to people at the grassroot level," Sayeed said during a tour of south Kashmir's Anantnag district yesterday, a state government spokesman said.

"Innovative ways will be found for development financing, enabling creation of durable physical assets in various sectors of the economy," Sayeed said.

The Chief Minister inaugurated various new projects including the state-of-the-art auditorium at Government Boys Degree College, the spokesman said.

Sayeed also laid the foundation stone for a bridge over Brungi Nullah near Bang-e-Nowgam, Roohu which will be constructed by the state's Rural Development department, he said.

Referring to the recent decision of the government to upgrade colleges to the level of cluster universities, Sayeed said the government will take steps to transform satellite campuses of premier universities of the state into full-fledged universities.

"Our college campuses need to become hotbeds of placements," the Chief Minister said.

He also announced that the government will start market- driven courses which would help the youth enhance their employability.

Sayeed advised students to make optimal use of the auditorium to bring into limelight their talent in dramatics, art and debates, the spokesman said.

While laying emphasis on skill-based training, the Chief Minister asked Principal of the college, M Y Peerzada, to submit a proposal for establishing a 'School of Skills' for which adequate funds could be earmarked.

"We need to teach youth traditional skills in paper mache, carpet and shawl weaving as well as demand-driven segments like automobile engineering," he said.

During the inauguration of the three bridges, Sayeed issued instructions for fast-tracking flood protection measures, especially on the embankments of river Jhelum and Brungi Nullah, out of the funds provided in the recently-announced development package.