Day 7: ‘Back to Village’ continues to receive warm response across north Kashmir

SRINAGAR, JUNE 25: On the seventh day of the week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme, the Public Contact program continued to witness an overwhelming response from the people in North Kashmir especially women folk with visiting officers receiving rousing receptions.
In Bandipora, the officers visited far-flung Panchayats of the district including Kudara, Sirinder, Chuntimulla, Bhuttoo, Benlipora in Bandipora, Gund Prang, Trigam in Sonawari and Dawar, Shahpora, Baduaab and Gujran in Gurez valley.
The people belonging to Gujjar community welcomed the visiting officers by tying traditional Dastaar to them and showered flower petals. At Kudara the students of Government Middle School Kudara sung folk Gujjar songs welcoming the guests. Elsewhere in the district women sung traditional Kashmir and Sheena songs to welcome the guests in their villages.
Locals appreciated the “Back to Village Program” stating that for the first time a high-rank officer has visited their village. Roshan Jan, a resident of Kudara village said, “For the first time we feel empowered as we are being heard and special attention is being given to the grievances of the women,” and hoped that the program will continue in future and shall go a long way in empowerment of women and the Panchayats in general.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Additional District Development Commissioner Mohammad Yousuf Mir and other senior officers of the district visited several Panchayats and participated in the Back to Village Program.
In Baramulla, various Panchayat Halqas were covered on the seventh day of 'Back to Village' program during which various developmental works were started in different blocks of the district.
The programs were conducted at various Panchayat Halqas of Tangmarg block, Sangrama block, Rafiabad block, Tujjar Shareef, Khaipora block and other blocks of the district.
At Lalad in Sangrama block, RTO Kashmir, Akramulla Tak, visiting officer, inaugurated the playground in the area in the presence of Secretary Panchayat.
He also held Gram Sabha which witnessed a huge gathering of residents. The officials of line departments were present on the occasion, who informed about various. They also listened to the issues put forward by the residents.
Director Estates, Tariq Hussain Ganai held the discussion with the PRI members at Baba Reshi Chontpatri, in Tangmarg block. He inaugurated culvert at Numblenaar, at an estimated cost of 3.4 lakh rupees. SDM Tangmarg, Tehsil Tangmarg, BDO Tangmarg and other concerned were present on the occasion.
Visiting officer also laid the foundation stone for the construction of 'Crate Bund' in front side of Panchayat Ghar' at Numblenaar. Earlier, he visited schools, primary Health centre, ICDS Centre and other places and took firsthand appraisal of needs and issues faced by residents.