Srinagar, June 21 (KNO) : The Back to Village programme was in full swing in the Central Kashmir where increased public participation was seen on the second day of the weeklong public outreach programme. In Srinagar district, public meetings and field visits by designated Gazetted officers were held in seven Panchayat halqas of Lasjan-A, Khonmoh-A and Balham-A, Panzinara-A, Dara-A, Gandthal and Faqir Gujri-B across four blocks. A range of genuine and specific grievances and developmental requirements of these areas were brought to fore during the interactive sessions and Gram Sabhas.
Illegal land encroachments, inadequate drainage, lack of appropriate health, irrigation, electricity and educational facilities were the main issues highlighted by the locals during the interactions. At few places the youth demanded play-fields and provision of sports kits.
Officers from concerned line departments are accompanying the designated administrators of these halqas for compiling the reports of recorded grievances for onward submission to the appropriate quarters at the end of the programme.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary directed the concerned designated administrators for thorough public interactions and field visits so as to give a concrete feedback about the infrastructure development and deficit and implementation of the welfare programmes.
In district Budgam, during the second day of ‘Back to the Village’ programme, designated Gazetted officers stationed in 80 Gram Panchayats of 6 CD blocks of the district supervised the conduct of Gram Sabhas. During which Prime Minister’s letter addressed to Panchayats was read by the officers to the people stressing on conservation of water.
Various development issues were deliberated upon in the interactive sessions by the locals with the visiting functionaries followed by constitution of social audit committees in the Gram Panchayats wherever they were not in place. Enrollment of beneficiaries under PM Kissan and PM SYM, participation of people in exhibitions, awareness camps and cleanliness drives, distribution of certificates, submission of application forms under different schemes, distribution of soil testing cards among beneficiaries were other prominent activities of the day.
Exhibition camps of about 20 departments including Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Horticulture, Health, Social Welfare, Education, Rural Development, Labour and Employment were also held. Grievance redressal centers were established in the Gram Panchayats.
The Gram Panchayats visited included Bugam Chadoora, Arigam Khansahib, Choon, Budina, Pallar Budgam, Habbar, Drang, Lassipora, Kokerbagh, in Khag and Beerwah. DC Budgam Syed Sehrish Asgar interacted with the people at Arigam, Khansahib and listened to issues raised by them including completion of water supply schemes, establishment of J&K Bank Branch, education and agriculture zone and construction of diversion bridge. She assured prompt resolution of their demands. She also visited Arizal and chaired public grievance redressal meetings.
In Ganderbal district, Secretary RDD, Sheetal Nanda conducted Gram Sabha at Gagangeer Sonamarg, Ganderbal. She interacted with the members of PRIs and prominent citizens and sought feedback from them about ongoing development works. She said that the main purpose of the programme was to experience the impact of welfare schemes on ground and empowering the Panchayats. She also said that powers have been devolved to the panchayats for ensuring overall rural socio-economic transformation.
During Gram Sabha Panchs, Sarpanchs and locals projected various problems confronting them and put forth various demands and suggestions for ensuring the integrated development of the area. They also appreciated this novel initiative of the government being advantageous for rural transformation.(KNO)