Sidha calls for time-bound redressal of public grievances; stresses field visits and coordinated action
Pulwama| Oct, 22:A mega Public Outreach-cum-Grievance Redressal Camp was Thursday held at Batagund, Urpal, Sub-Division Tral, under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, providing residents of Batagund, Urpal, Gulshanpora, Jawarpora, Largam and adjoining areas an opportunity to project their developmental concerns and seek time-bound resolution of their grievances.
The camp witnessed active participation of residents, who raised a wide range of issues concerning healthcare, drinking water, road connectivity, education, sanitation, revenue services, irrigation and flood control, forest and timber supply, public transport, power infrastructure, tourism, sports facilities and tribal welfare.
The DDC heard the grievances in detail and called upon the concerned officers to address the issues through coordinated field-level intervention, clear timelines and close follow-up, while avoiding unnecessary red-tapism and delays.
Residents highlighted the inconvenience caused by the Tehsil and Block offices being located at separate places. The DDC asked the ADC Tral to examine the issue and work out a practical arrangement to facilitate access to government services. The non-availability of Patwaris and Panchayat Secretaries was also raised, following which the ACR and ACD were asked to prepare a day-wise roster ensuring availability of field functionaries in the area for at least two days every week.
Healthcare deficiencies figured prominently during the interaction. Residents pointed out the shortage of technical staff, non-functional equipment, absence of a Dental Surgeon and the need for an X-Ray Technician at the local dispensary. The concerned BMO was tasked with preparing and implementing a roster to ensure availability of technicians at the facility at least two days a week and taking up the shortage of essential staff for early resolution.
Issues concerning the PHC at Gulshanpora were also raised, particularly the non-availability of water despite tanks and pipelines having been installed. The BMO Tral was asked to visit the facility and ensure immediate availability of potable water. The BMO was also requested to identify pregnant women in tribal habitations approaching their expected delivery dates and facilitate their timely shifting to District Headquarters, wherever required, to prevent avoidable emergencies.
Residents from several areas highlighted drinking water shortages, defunct pipelines and non-functional filtration plants. The Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, was asked to inspect the affected water supply schemes and undertake necessary measures for restoration of supply, including examination of borewell facilities for water-stressed Gujjar habitations.
Concerns were raised regarding open dumping of waste besides inadequate garbage collection arrangements. The ACD and concerned BDO were tasked with undertaking field visits, identifying an appropriate dumping site and shifting waste dumping away from water bodies, religious places and other sensitive locations, while ensuring proper collection and disposal under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
On the demand for streetlights in different mohallas, the BDOs and Executive Officers of the concerned Municipal Committees were asked to assess the requirement within two days and initiate necessary action.
Road connectivity remained a major concern, with residents seeking improvement and upgradation of the Largam-Batagund road and other link roads connecting upper and remote habitations, including smaller hamlets and orchard areas. The Executive Engineer, R&B Division Tral, was asked to undertake a field assessment of the identified roads and take up feasible works on priority.
The public highlighted an acute shortage of teachers in primary and middle schools serving tribal communities and pointed out that teachers are frequently assigned non-teaching duties, adversely affecting classroom learning. The Chief Education Officer, Pulwama, was asked to ensure adequate teaching staff in the affected schools and minimise diversion of teachers to unrelated assignments.
The DDC stressed the need for focused interventions in remote and tribal habitations, particularly in education, healthcare, road connectivity and drinking water, to ensure equitable access to basic services.
Residents sought development of a proper playground in the area. The ACD Pulwama and concerned BDO were entrusted with identifying a suitable site and preparing a DPR for a playground along with an accessible racing track/facility for specially-abled children.
The public also raised the issue of an incomplete and deteriorating cooperative building. The concerned department was asked to inspect the public asset, assess the requirement of repairs and examine its utilisation so that the building is put to productive public use.
The demand for construction of Panchayat and Community Halls was also projected, with residents informing that land has already been made available. The ACD and concerned BDO were asked to verify the available land and take up the works as per approved norms and availability of resources.
Residents sought improvement of facilities at the Shamshan Ghat in Gulshanpora, including proper tiling to address waterlogging and construction of a suitable structure for conducting last rites. The concerned BDO was asked to inspect the site and prepare a proposal for the required works.
The demand for improvement of the Eidgah-Asthan Aliya Road was also projected. The Executive Engineer, R&B Division Tral, was asked to inspect the road and examine the feasibility of its improvement and widening.
On irrigation and flood control, residents sought protective bunds along Lam Nallah and Saturah Nallah. The Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Division, was tasked with conducting a field inspection and submitting a report on the required protective measures within the stipulated timeline.
Residents highlighted the tourism potential of Chenar Bagh, Jawarpora, Lam and other locations and sought their planned development to generate employment and strengthen the local economy. The DDC directed the concerned officers including ADC Tral, ACD, to visit the identified sites, assess their tourism potential and prepare suitable proposals/DPRs for recreational and tourism infrastructure. The DDC also called for exploring public amenities and suitable commercial facilities at identified locations to create livelihood and employment opportunities for local residents.
Residents sought direct SRTC bus connectivity from the area to Srinagar. The concerned ARTO was asked to examine the feasibility of direct bus connectivity and submit an appropriate proposal.
A major concern raised by residents of Tehsil Aripal was the absence of a dedicated fire and emergency response facility despite the area comprising around 50 villages. Taking serious note of the issue, the Fire & Emergency Services, was tasked with undertaking an immediate field assessment and working out an interim mechanism for emergency coverage. A rotational roster for deployment of fire service vehicles and staff from Tral was also sought to ensure regular emergency response coverage until a permanent arrangement is established.
The DDC also took note of the demand for a Sheep Development Centre in the area. The District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Pulwama, was asked to examine the feasibility and requirement of establishing such a facility to support livestock-rearing households.
The DDC said that the present visit was his first to the area but certainly not the last, assuring residents that field visits and direct interactions with the public would continue. He observed that while officers routinely function from their offices, a real understanding of public issues comes through visiting the field and interacting directly with the people.
He impressed upon all officers to regularly visit their respective areas, identify issues on the ground and work towards practical solutions rather than allowing grievances to remain pending through prolonged correspondence. He emphasised that unnecessary red-tapism must be avoided and called for preparation of DPRs wherever required, clear timelines and coordinated follow-up of the decisions taken during the camp.
The residents expressed their appreciation to the DDC and district administration for organising the outreach camp in their area and providing them an opportunity to raise their concerns directly before the administration. They thanked the DDC for choosing their area for the programme and for patiently hearing the grievances of residents from different villages and communities. They observed that such field-based interactions provide people with direct access to the administration and help bring local issues to the notice of the officers responsible for their resolution.
The DDC, on behalf of the district administration and district police, thanked the residents and other stakeholders for their active participation and constructive engagement. He highlighted that such outreach programmes are aimed at strengthening the interface between the administration and the public, identifying developmental priorities at the grassroots level and ensuring their effective and timely resolution.
The programme was attended by SSP Awantipora Irshad Hussain Rather; ADDC Pulwama; ADC Tral;GM DIC; CPO Pulwama; DPO, ICDS Pulwama; Superintending Engineers of R&B, KPDCL & PHE, ACR, ACD,ACP, DMO,CEO, CMO, CHO, CAHO, DSHO, senior engineers of PHE, R&B,KPDCL, REW, PMGSY Tehsildars, BDOs and other district and sectoral officers and officials from various departments of the district.
