Srinagar, Sep 19 (KNS) : The Centre has forwarded a set of development demands raised by Baramulla Lok Sabha member Engineer Rashid concerning North Kashmir to the concerned Union ministries for appropriate action, Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said on Saturday.

The development demands were originally submitted by Er Rashid to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman through a letter dated April 15, 2026, highlighting infrastructure, healthcare, education and cultural requirements in his parliamentary constituency, particularly in remote and border areas.

According to the letter, MP Er Rashid sought the immediate release of funds for construction and restoration of key bridges, including Kharpora Bridge, Cherek-e-Lawoosi Bridge and Lach Drungsoo Bridge in Kupwara district, besides restoration of damaged bridges at Daand Kandal in Langate and Kralpora Market.

The MP stated that these bridges were important for connectivity, emergency access and economic movement in the region.

Among the other demands, Er Rashid sought financial support for construction of auditoriums at Bandipora, Baramulla, Beerwah and Kupwara, saying the facilities would promote youth engagement, cultural activities and public interaction.

He also sought release of funds for the finishing works of the already constructed auditorium at Hangah, Handwara, so that the facility could be made fully functional and opened for public use.

On healthcare, Er Rashid called for establishment of a fully equipped Cancer Hospital in North Kashmir, pointing out that patients from the region are often required to travel outside North Kashmir for specialised treatment. He also sought that the Trauma Hospital at Pattan be made fully operational at the earliest.

The letter further sought release of pending funds for completing ongoing health-centre and hospital projects in North Kashmir and called for establishment of a Maternity Hospital in North Kashmir to address healthcare requirements in far-flung areas.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The final demand in the letter was for sanctioning of a Degree College at Machil, with Er Rashid stating that the institution would benefit students in the remote border area who presently have limited access to higher education facilities.

The Ministry of Finance, through an Office Memorandum dated April 24, 2026, has now referred the issues to the concerned ministries and departments for appropriate action. The memorandum specifically forwards the reference to the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Welcoming the development, Inam Un Nabi said the forwarding of the demands to the concerned ministries was an important administrative step and expressed hope that the respective departments would now examine each proposal and take action within their jurisdiction.

“The demands raised by Engineer Rashid Sb cover basic infrastructure, healthcare, education and public facilities that directly affect the people of North Kashmir, particularly those living in remote and border areas,” Inam said.

Inam Un Nabi said AIP would continue to follow up on the status of the individual projects, including the Kharpora, Cherek-e-Lawoosi and Lach Drungsoo bridges, damaged bridges at Daand Kandal and Kralpora Market, auditoriums at Bandipora, Baramulla, Beerwah and Kupwara, finishing works of the Hangah auditorium, Cancer Hospital, Trauma Hospital at Pattan, Maternity Hospital, pending health projects and Degree College at Machil.

The Finance Ministry memorandum records that the reference was transferred to the concerned ministries as the demands fall under their respective administrative and functional jurisdictions. The documents supplied by AIP include the original April 15 letter from Er Rashid and the subsequent April 24 Office Memorandum. No independent web results were found for the document numbers cited in the papers.(KNS)