SRINAGAR, JUNE 21: On the second day of week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme, awareness camps and Gram Sabhas were held in North Kashmir districts which saw an enthusiastic participation of locals. The designated officers discussed measures to further boost developmental scenario and strengthening of Panchayati Raj System in their assigned panchayat halqas.
Issues of public importance and devolution of powers to panchayats besides implementation of welfare schemes formed part of these interactions.
In districts of North Kashmir, people from all walks of life thronged the Gram Sabhas and were seen very much enthusiastic to receive the government functionaries and have their concerns registered for improving the facilities in their respective areas. They youth were seen very much serious in projecting their demands regarding creation of livelihood opportunities and creation of sports related infrastructure. At most of the places traditional means of media were also used for creating awareness among locals and motivating them to be part of the week-long ‘Back to Village’ campaign.
In Bandipora, the programme began with the recitation of the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on rain water conservation by Panchs and Sarpanches at all the 51 Panchayats of the district.
At Gurez, Director Horticulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, distributed Set Top boxes among the villagers to facilitate the access to Doordarshan network. Likewise in various panchayat halqas of Sumbal, visiting officers inaugurated various sports events witnessing massive participation of girls-only.
At Matrigam, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu inaugurated tile paths and a number of playgrounds were dedicated to the youth of the area. At Markundal in Naidkhai, Member SSB, Abdul Aziz Sheikh conducted Gram Sabha and took note of the concerns of the locals.
IN KUPWARA, continuing with the outreach campaign, several Gram Sabhas were held in the far-flung Panchayat Halqas of the district.
Prime Minister’s message regarding water conservation was also read out at the Gram Sabhas.
IN BARAMULLA, under the programme interactive sessions and discussions were held at panchayat halqas of Seelu; Budshah Mohallah, Dangarpora B, Zainageer block; Dooru B; Muqam-e-Shaheed Mir. At Watlab, Zainageer, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah inaugurated the washroom block under the programme in presence of Secretary Panchayat, Sarpanch, Panchs and locals.
Meanwhile, the Back to Village programme was in full swing in the Central Kashmir where increased public participation was seen on the second day of the weeklong public outreach programme.
In Srinagar district, public meetings and field visits by designated Gazetted officers were held in seven Panchayat halqas of Lasjan-A, Khonmoh-A and Balham-A, Panzinara-A, Dara-A, Gandthal and Faqir Gujri-B across four blocks. A range of genuine and specific grievances and developmental requirements of these areas were brought to fore during the interactive sessions and Gram Sabhas.
Illegal land encroachments, inadequate drainage, lack of appropriate health, irrigation, electricity and educational facilities were the main issues highlighted by the locals during the interactions. At few places the youth demanded play-fields and provision of sports kits.
Officers from concerned line departments are accompanying the designated administrators of these halqas for compiling the reports of recorded grievances for onward submission to the appropriate quarters at the end of the programme.
In district Budgam, during the second day of ‘Back to the Village’ programme, designated Gazetted officers stationed in 80 Gram Panchayats of 6 CD blocks of the district supervised the conduct of Gram Sabhas. During which Prime Minister’s letter addressed to Panchayats was read by the officers to the people stressing on conservation of water.
Various development issues were deliberated upon in the interactive sessions by the locals with the visiting functionaries followed by constitution of social audit committees in the Gram Panchayats wherever they were not in place.
The Gram Panchayats visited included Bugam Chadoora, Arigam Khansahib, Choon, Budina, Pallar Budgam, Habbar, Drang, Lassipora, Kokerbagh, in Khag and Beerwah.
DC Budgam Syed Sehrish Asgar interacted with the people at Arigam, Khansahib and listened to issues raised by them including completion of water supply schemes, establishment of J&K Bank Branch, education and agriculture zone and construction of Diversion Bridge. She assured prompt resolution of their demands. She also visited Arizal and chaired public grievance redressal meetings.
In Ganderbal district, Secretary RDD, Sheetal Nanda conducted Gram Sabha at Gagangeer Sonamarg, Ganderbal. She interacted with the members of PRIs and prominent citizens and sought feedback from them about ongoing development works. She said that the main purpose of the programme was to experience the impact of welfare schemes on ground and empowering the Panchayats. She also said that powers have been devolved to the panchayats for ensuring overall rural socio-economic transformation.
Meanwhile, the entire rural South Kashmir had a festive look today. Cross sections of the society participated in varied activities under the campaign on the second day. Women and youth were proactive in highlighting their concerns before the government functionaries and putting forth their view points for socio-economic transformation.
In Kulgam: Deputy Commissioner, Kugam, Dr Shamim Ahmad Wani has been monitoring the Programme with several other senior officials assessing the facilities made to reach out to the people at their doorsteps. He said that ‘Back to the Village’ programme has brought vibrancy in administration at all levels—facilitating a high-power interaction between people of district and the civil administration. He said that all the visiting officers have reported to their respected places of halqas and postings—where they are held Gram Sabhas.
The district administration in Kulgam has devised a programme under three phases. The first phase started on June 20 under which and 57 halqas were targeted to be covered under this phase, which culminated today successfully.
During these interactions, feedback regarding bad roads, health and hygiene, sanitation, drinking water facilities were raised by the representatives of the people. Meanwhile during the programme also educated people about the centrally and state run schemes and how their implementations could change the fate of the several backward villages of the district.
In Anantnag: Various activities were carried out under the weeklong Government – Public Interface Programme “Back to Village”, in all the 68 Halqas of the three blocks namely Sagam, Breng and Larnoo of Kokernag Constituency.
Gram Sabhas for both men and women were conducted, followed by constitution of Social Audit Committees by the concerned Gram Panchayats, where they were not constituted till date, visit to and participation in exhibitions, distribution of certificates & benefits, opening of accounts & insurance policies, filing of applications forms for various schemes, Shramdhan cleanliness drive within the Gram Panchayats and other related activities were part of the campaign today.
In Pulwama: The innovative flagship programme continued for the second consecutive day in 55 halqas of district Pulwama. Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Tral, Awantipora, other officers, various deputations and a large number of people participated in the programme.
A large number of people including senior citizens, stakeholders, retired Government employees, youth and women participated in the programme and put forth their demands and grievances before the visiting officers.
The designated officers nominated for the programme heard the grievances and demands in their respective halqas and assured the public of their timely resolution.
In Shopian: The Gram Sabhas were held in 29 Panchayat Halqas of the district Shopian.
The major programmes were held at Imam Sahib, Chitragam, Herman, Zainapora, Barbugh, Keller and Kanjillura where designated officers hold interaction with the public and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
