Srinagar : The week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme continued on sixth consecutive day in North Kashmir districts drawing an overwhelming response from the people with visiting officers reaching out far-off places to assess the developmental aspirations of the rural areas.
Baramulla: Despite inclement weather conditions, Special Secretary Law and Justice Manoj Kumar Pandit conducted Gram Sabha at Panchayat Halqa Bandiballa of block Wagoora in the district. On the occasion, people apprised the Special Secretary about their issues and demands being confronted by them. He said the initiative is unique to its kind as earlier the trend was that people were approaching the officers in their respective offices for registering grievances and now it is vice versa. The programme was also held at Panchayat Halqas of Zaingeer, Tangmarg, Tujjar Shareef, Wagoora, Bijhama and other blocks of the district. At Edipora-B in Tujjar Sharief Block, visiting officer Director Hospitality and Protocol, Tariq Ahmad Zargar, inaugurated development works of a playground in the area. He also held a Gram Sabha which witnessed huge participation of locals. Officials of various Departments including RDD, R&B, Horticulture and others were present on the occasion, who informed about various schemes under which the people can be benefited. They also listened to the issues put forward by people. At Dangerpora-A in Zaingeer block Special Secretary PDD, Hashmat Ali Yatoo conducted a Gram Sabha and an awareness camp. This was followed by speech by students on ill-effects of drug addiction. The Special Secretary PDD also laid foundation stone for renovation of Panchayat Ghar and ‘fencing of graveyard in the area. He also inaugurated a playground at Government Boys Higer Secondary School, Dangerpora. Yatoo also conducted a Gram Mela in which tractors and other equipment were distributed among the beneficiaries by Agriculture and Horticulture Departments. On the occasion, he also read out message of Prime Minister on rainwater harvesting.
Kupwara : Secretary Agriculture Production, Manzoor Ahmad Lone, conducted public interaction programme in Panchayat Halqa Sogam-B. During the programme, the Secretary distributed aids to disabled persons, agricultural equipment, job cards, and RBA certificates among the beneficiaries and also dedicated paddy thrashing machines to the Panchayat Halqa. While several irrigation pumps, sprayers, land tillers, Poly-green houses were also distributed among the agrarians on subsidized rates. Pertinently, the Secretary also visited several water sources of the area and asked the officers to take initiatives for the restoration of ponds, springs and other water bodies. For better yield and to give boost to the Agriculture sector in the area, the Secretary directed the officers to check feasibility for establishing Seed Village for high-quality seed distribution among the farmers. He also asked the officers to formulate feasibility report of horticulture nursery for high-density plantation to provide requisite fillip to socio-economic condition of the area. Officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, SDM Lolab, Director Command Area officer and other line department officers were also present on the occasion. In other Panchayat Halqas of Lolab and Sogam, Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg interacted with people and listened to the grievances and feedback of locals on various development programmes. While highlighting the importance of social audit programme in Panchayati Raj, the Deputy Commissioner said it will bridge the gap in pursuing common interests of the people of rural areas to improve their overall developmental aspects while facilitating the nominated panchayat members to keep a check on the development works. Later, the Secretary along with the DC and other concerned officers organized a sanitation drive and asked the officers to conduct such drives in every panchayat Halqas under SBM. Prime Minister’s message on Rain Water Harvesting was read out by the BDO Sogam and emphasis was laid to chalk out strategies for its proper harvest. At Bohipora, Ghulma Rasool Mir, Under Secretary, Finance held an interactive session in where large gathering of the people interacted with him and apprised him about several issues being faced by them in their respective areas. In other parts of the district including Kulangam-A, B, Chaugla-A, and other far-flung areas Gram Sabhas were held where participants were informed about several beneficiary schemes.
