KUPWARA: Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), Vikas Kundal, on Wednesday reviewed the progress of developmental works being executed under Phase-II of the Vibrant Village Programme in the border villages of Gundi Gujran and Jabdi in Karnah sub-division.
Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Suse, Kundal chaired an inter-departmental review meeting at the Mini Secretariat, Tangdhar, to assess the developmental profile of the two villages and the status of projects being implemented under the programme.
The meeting was attended by JKSSB Secretary Khurshid Ahmad Sanai, SDM Karnah Mohd Raiyaz, Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Block Development Officer, Executive Engineer Tangdhar and other district and sectoral officers.
During the meeting, the SDM Karnah presented a detailed overview of the socio-economic profile of the villages. Officials informed that Gundi Gujran has 567 households with a population of 1,819, while Jabdi comprises 135 households with a population of 739.
Kundal reviewed sector-wise progress in road connectivity, telecommunications, power supply, drinking water, education, healthcare, agriculture and allied sectors, social welfare and rural development. He directed departments to ensure timely completion of ongoing works to achieve the objectives of the Vibrant Village Programme.
Later, Kundal and the Deputy Commissioner held a public outreach programme at Government High School Gundi Shart, where residents of Gundi Gujran and Jabdi highlighted several developmental issues and public demands.
Interacting with the residents, Kundal directed the Roads and Buildings Department to expedite ongoing road projects and ensure their completion before the onset of winter. He also stressed the promotion of livelihood opportunities through schemes such as HADP, PMEGP, Mission Yuva and cooperative initiatives.
The JKSSB chairman called for strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperative institutions to enhance economic opportunities and self-reliance among rural households.
Among the demands projected by the public were the deployment of permanent paramedical staff at the Health Centre in Jabdi and construction of a community marriage hall. Kundal directed the concerned departments to take necessary steps for early redressal of these issues.
Deputy Commissioner Shrikant Suse assured the residents that all genuine grievances would be addressed on priority. He directed the Chief Medical Officer to examine the feasibility of augmenting healthcare manpower at Jabdi and informed that a comprehensive action plan was being prepared to project important local demands before the appropriate authorities.
The Deputy Commissioner also announced that a playfield and a library would be developed to support the educational and recreational needs of local youth.
Kundal further instructed line departments to conduct regular awareness and outreach programmes to ensure wider public participation and better dissemination of information regarding government welfare schemes.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment towards the holistic development of border areas, he said the Vibrant Village Programme aims to strengthen infrastructure, improve service delivery, expand livelihood opportunities and enhance the quality of life in remote border villages.
