Asks people to decide their own priorities; says administration will be facilitator
Bandipora: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said the Panchayats in J&K will be a new model of equitable development and growth, where people will decide their own priorities and administration will be the facilitator.
“No hollow announcements, will deliver what I promise,” LG Sinha pledged during his visit to Nesbal, Bandipora on the second day of Back to Village-3 programme.
On the occasion, LG presented loan assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to two educated young aspiring entrepreneurs of Nesbal Halqa. More than 8000 youth will be benefitted from this initiative across J&K, an official press release said.
“I want the socio-economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir to become an example, a benchmark for other states of the country. It is my promise, and I will work day and night to ensure that J&K very soon becomes a shining example of equitable growth,” the LG maintained.
He said that the farmers, artisans, labourers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, everyone will benefit from the ongoing and upcoming schemes. “People will get services at doorsteps; grievance redressal and on-spot delivery of public services is going to be institutionalized, while timelines of projects will be strictly monitored and no undue delays will be tolerated,” he said.
The LG also handed over Education Assistance for 1400 construction workers amounting Rs 100.75 lakhs and Rs 1.20 lakhs tuition fee to two children of late Dr. Shabeer, who died while performing COVID duties in the district.
Two sports kits comprising items for 20 teams were also distributed. A book titled “Parvaaz” drafted by Mahila Shakti Kendra Bandipora was also released.
On the occasion, the LG launched all phases of the Panchayat Development Index including the dashboard. The index shall rank 151 Panchayats. He also launched Revenue Court Management Portal and Mobile App (Meezan).
The LG also inaugurated the upgraded road from Dharma Hama to Guzarbal (1.60 kms) and laid the foundation stone of the new building for One Stop Centre, Bandipora.
Addressing a gathering of locals, the LG observed that the soul of Back to Village (B2V) lies with people’s participation. B2V is not merely a demand-delivery mechanism but a new development model; a mechanism to designate funds, functions, functionaries to the grassroots, he said.
According to the press release, on youth welfare and empowerment, the LG underlined the need to change the narrative. “Proper opportunity to youth in sports, education, entrepreneurship, employment, and other fields will certainly open the doors of development,” he added.
During the visit, the LG said that fruit production and allied activities including building storage facilities would be encouraged and accentuated in the region.
“Works on four power stations is underway, which once completed, would greatly alleviate the power issues of the district. Similarly, directions have been passed to expedite 80 important projects and complete them in a time-bound manner,” the LG said.
The LG observed that many works from earlier phases of B2V have either been completed or are on the verge of completion. Sufficient review of the earlier phases and the observations have been considered while planning B2V3 to make it the best of the three, he said, adding that 54 schemes and funds to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore per district and Rs 10 lakh per Panchayat has been earmarked to be delivered during the B2V3.
“Only the village should decide their priorities and works requiring immediate attention.”
Speaking on the famous Wular Lake of the district, the LG said that experts have been consulted for the conservation and sustainability of the lake. “Financial and technical aspects of the project are about to be finalized and the work on it is to be started very soon to rejuvenate this world-famous tourist attraction,” he said.
On the overall development of J&K, the LG said that the government intends to route funds under various schemes to be utilized in consultation with Panchayats to ensure that villages of J&K lead in quality of living, education, health, employment, and with respect to business growth indicators in the entire nation.
The LG also said that a “massive” economic package has already been sanctioned for relief and revival of the business sector in J&K. “The ill-effects of COVID are being mitigated gradually and sincere efforts are being put to revitalize the incomplete projects to finish them at the earliest. The upcoming Industrial Policy, which will be among the best in the country, is also going to be announced soon which would significantly change the villages of J&K,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora briefed the LG about the developmental indicators of the district. He informed that the first rural BPO of J&K has been established at Bandipora in February 2019.
While apprising the LG about the achievements made during Jan Abhiyan, he informed that 100 percent saturation of KCC has been achieved in the district with 53,499 registered farmers given benefits of KCC; around 1,06,000 domicile certificates were issued during Jan Abhiyan through Panchayat camps; Aadhaar seeding of 91 percent ration cards in the district was completed; 27000 students were given benefits of scholarships; 100 percent saturation as per target achieved for the old-age pension and widow pension and 30 km of road length macadamized during the last 20 days with a total 120 km macadamized so far this year, he claimed.
Later, the LG also met public delegations and listened to their issues and demands. He also sought public views on B2V3 programme. Cultural performance and martial art skill display also marked the second day of the B2V3 programme.
