Baramulla: In view of the Gram Swaraj Month and related activities being undertaken from 1st April, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir besides other senior officers of various departments today visited different areas of Sopore.
During the visit, the Div Com kick started different developmental activities under Gram Swaraj Month including foundation of Chaar Chinari Park at Khushalpora, Inauguration of Clock Tower at main market sopore.
The Div Com also inaugurated Fountains at different locations of the Sopore town.
It is worth here to mention that Gram Swaraj Month is being observed as an effort to strengthen the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) so as to realise the vision of Gram Swaraj viz-a-viz democratic decentralisation and saturation of 100 points programme targeted by the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir UT.
On the occasion, the Div Com said that joint departmental camps will be organised to achieve saturation in various welfare schemes and social audits conducted at halqa panchayat level. Another facet of the program is to operationalise common public infrastructure points where the common man can easily access routine government services like revenue, RDD, etc, he added.
The initiative is driven by PRI participation with all line departments facilitating the various activities.
Meanwhile, Sanitation drive was carried out in Sopore with focus on making the vicinity polythene free.
Plantation drive was also held on the occasion wherein different kinds of saplings were planted and the importance of organising plantation drives was highlighted.
The Div Com also distributed cheques among the fire victims whose houses were damaged severely in a recent massive fire incident at Sopore.
He also felicitated and praised ‘Eco guards’ who show their utmost dedication in keeping the environment clean and green.
Later, the Div Com held Block Diwas at Dak Bungalow Sopore where a large number of people, delegations, PRI members and officers of the line departments were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com advised the general public to realize their power through Gram Sabhas, which he said, would act as ‘pressure points’ to meet out their demands and needs. He called for greater coordination between the Public and the Administration, and hoped that the PRI members would serve as a ‘bridge’ in this regard.
Pole said that the 100 point programme is undertaken under Gram Swaraj which aims to ensure grassroots penetration of various welfare measures, promote mass participation and spread awareness among the public about various govt initiatives.
The participants also expressed their feedback and suggestions with regard to socio-economic development and good governance in rural areas which were subsequently noted by the Div Com and also assured timely redressal of their suggestions and demands.
