Srinagar, June 21 (KNO) : On the second day of week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme, awareness camps and Gram Sabhas were held in North Kashmir districts which saw an enthusiastic participation of locals. The designated officers discussed measures to further boost developmental scenario and strengthening of Panchayati Raj System in their assigned panchayat halqas. Issues of public importance and devolution of powers to panchayats besides implementation of welfare schemes formed part of these interactions.
In Bandipora, the programme began with the recitation of the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on rain water conservation by Panchs and Sarpanches at all the 51 Panchayats of the district. Gram Sabhas were held at all the Panchayats of the district with special Gram Sabhas organised for female folk. This was followed by formation of social audit committees that include officers of the state government, Panchayat Raj Institutions and prominent citizens of the halqas.
Earlier, gazetted officers met with the PRI members as well as the prominent citizens of the respective halqas in the district and gave a patient hearing to their grievances. The officers also discussed the micro-level strategies to be incorporated in future planning with PRI members and locals.
At Gurez, Director Horticulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, distributed Set Top boxes among the villagers to facilitate the access to Doordarshan network. Likewise in various panchayat halqas of Sumbal, visiting officers inaugurated various sports events witnessing massive participation of girls-only. They also kick-started various developmental works and also inaugurated few.
At Matrigam, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu inaugurated tile paths and a number of playgrounds were dedicated to the youth of the area. At Markundal in Naidkhai, Member SSB, Abdul Aziz Sheikh conducted Gram Sabha and took note of the concerns of the locals.
Out of the 151 Panchayats in the district, 51 Panchayats were visited in the first phase while the remaining Panchayats will be visited in upcoming two phases.
The Gazetted Officers who visited the Panchayats include Director Finance M Ayoub Nasir, Director Sheep Husbandry Abdul Salam Mir, Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu, Mission Director ICDS, Shabnum Kamli and other senior officers.
IN KUPWARA, continuing with the outreach campaign, several Gram Sabhas were held in the far-flung Panchayat Halqas of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg visited several Panchayat Halqas of the district including Shatigam Chanjmula, Bakiakar, Khumriyal to get the first-hand appraisal of the programme during which he interacted with Sarpanchs, Panchs, Senior Citizens and other deputations.
On the second day, visiting officers listened to the issues of the people and documented their feedback on different state and central sponsored schemes. The general public flagged several issues related to Agriculture and allied sectors and augmenting the civic amenities in their respective panchayat halqas. At certain places the women folk projected their aspirations as regards their empowerment.
Prime Minister's message regarding water conservation was also read out at the Gram Sabhas.
IN BARAMULLA, under the programme interactive sessions and discussions were held at panchayat halqas of Seelu; Budshah Mohallah, Dangarpora B, Zainageer block; Dooru B; Muqam-e-Shaheed Mir. At Watlab, Zainageer, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah inaugurated the washroom block under the programme in presence of Secretary Panchayat, Sarpanch, Panchs and locals. He as well as the other visiting officers sought feedback from the locals about the welfare schemes and suggestions for making these more people oriented.
Issues related to macadamization of roads, improvement in electric supply, replacement of old water pipes, transformers, repair of damaged electric poles and increasing transportation facilities were also highlighted during the Gram Sabhas.
In districts of North Kashmir all walks of life thronged to the Gram Sabhas and were seen very much enthusiastic to receive the government functionaries and have their concerns registered for improving the facilities in their respective areas. They youth were seen very much serious in projecting their demands regarding creation of livelihood opportitines and creation of sports related infrastructure. At most of the places traditional means of media were also used for awaring the locals and motivating them to be part of the week-long ‘Back to Village’ campaign.(KNO)