<span style="color: #222222;">In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Bandipora district has seen tremendous development in the last two years. Stating this in an exclusive interview to AIR News, District Magistrate, Dr. Owais Ahmad said, there has been a drastic improvement in power and water supply, connectivity and other civic amenities. He informed that the administration completed 2,700 developmental works last year in excess of the target.<br />''<br />''Dr Owais said, over 16,000 youth have been provided with employment opportunities. The Administration is focused on imparting skills training to the youth for capacity building and strengthening their employability. He said, the Administration is also promoting Self-Help Groups for realisation of socio-economic development.<br />''<br />''He informed that there are more than 20,000 women members with 2,000 SHGs in the district. Highlighting their role in agriculture, Dr Owais said, with their help, farmers are now getting direct benefits for their produce through e-market platforms.<br />''<br />''Speaking on the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the District Magistrate said, all arrangements have been completed for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.<br />''<br />''He said, local people, particularly children, enthusiastically took part in sanitation drives on the nine-kilometre route to the cave shrine, with the administration focused on ensuring that the yatra is plastic-free. </span><br />