As part of the Public Outreach Programme of Union Government, Minister of Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey said that the present dispensation of Union Territory of J&K under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has taken new initiatives to attract investors, along with supporting efforts of the Central government. These initiatives will not only help J&K to become self-sufficient, but also a big export hub of the region in coming years. AIR correspondent reports that the Union Minister said this while addressing public at Barnoti in Kathua district yesterday. The Minister virtually inaugurated five projects executed with an estimated cost of 25.59 crore rupees comprising of two PWD and one PMGSY road, one Drug Ware House of Health Department besides a Common Facility Centre of SIDCO Industrial Complex, Ghatti. He also laid foundation of two upgraded Water Supply Schemes of Jal Shakti Department to be completed at an estimated cost of 1.96 crore rupees. Mr Pandey also handed over five tractors to the beneficiaries who have availed subsidy of two lakh rupees under Farm Mechanisation Scheme of Agriculture Department. He also handed over nineteen Maize Thrashers to Panchayat Heads of different blocks of the district.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Union Minister said, the Central Government is keen to bring qualitative development in J&K to ensure all round social upliftment of its people. Referring to the initiatives of opening 500 crore-rupee Bio-Technology Park Project in Kathua, the Minister said that the government will extend every possible help to nurture industries in J&K so that the economic achievements of the UT attain new heights.</span><br />