‘Back to Village’ strikes chord between admin, people in South Kashmir

On Day-7 visiting officers reach out to far-off places, asses’ dev aspirations of masses

SRINAGAR, JUNE 26: On the seventh day of ongoing week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme, visiting officers reached out to people in far-flung areas across the South Kashmir, drawing an overwhelming response from the people who lauded the unique outreach initiative of the Government.
In Kulgam, hundreds of people, who attended the Gram Sabhas and meetings convened by the visiting officers, expressed their happiness—hailing the Government and the district administration for their pro-active role in reaching out to the masses.
Progressive farmer and reputed Horticulturist, Abdul Hameed Ganai said that the programme has provided an opportunity for hundreds of farmers and growers like him, to raise their concerns with the Government.
Similar views were echoed by others here about the Government’s ambitious outreach programme.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Ahmad Wani said that the ‘Back to the Village' programme has proved a facilitator in reaching out to the several far-flung areas of the district.
He said the feedback of the people would help the Government and district administration and in devising plans in tune with development aspirations of people.
Meanwhile, on the seventh day, the programme was initiated in several Panchayat Halqas of the district during which the visiting officers informed people about various welfare schemes and received feedback from the people to ensure equitable development of rural areas.
In Pulwama, the day marked with multiple activities enshrined in the programme in Panchayat halqas of the district wherein people raised their demands and issues before the designated officers.
Director Finance Education Ghulam Mohammad along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Tral Shabir Ahmad conducted interaction programme at Satoora village of Aripal block in which a large number of people participated and raised issues concerning development of their areas.
Similarly, Director Finance Health Rafiq Ahmad and Joint Director FCS&CA, Nazir Ahmad Mir conducted an interaction programme at Kakapora and Pinglena villages respectively.
On the occasion, people apprised the designated officers with several issues faced by them especially regarding electricity and drinking water supply, fencing of school grounds, augmentation of Health infra, desilting of irrigation canals, renovation and macdamization of main and link roads, and benefits from welfare schemes.
Meanwhile, Block Development Officer Pulwama, Abid Iqbal inaugurated a playfield at Chatripora and also interacted with public there to listen to their issues.
Other visiting officers organized number of Gram Sabhas in the other Panchayat halqas of the district to assess the development needs of people and took stock of the various ongoing developmental activities in their areas.
In Shopian, the programme continued with visiting officers reaching out to the doorsteps of the people to assess the developmental needs of the rural areas.
At Panchayat halqas of Doompora and Keegam designated officers conducted interaction programmes in which public deputations highlighted their demands like construction of bridge at Doompora, drinking water, electricity, road connectivity, healthcare, upgradation of schools and macadamization of roads, among other issues.
In other halqas, the designated officers conducted Gram Sabhas to listen to the issues and demands of the people and take their feedback to improve the implementation of welfare schemes.
In Anantnag, the outreach programme commenced in 70 Panchayat halqas Vessu, Qazigund, Shahabad, Verinag and Hiller blocks in the district.
Visiting officers Director Finance Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani and Director Fisheries RN Pandita visited Omoh and Vessu halqas respectively and interacted with the public, PRI members, civil society members, prominent citizens, members of Auqaf Committees, Students and other concerned.
They heard the grievances and suggestions with regard to the development of the villages including development of the basic infrastructure and amenities.
Other visiting officers inspected various government institutions, schools, health centres, banks, under execution works and other village Panchayats which witnessed activities like distribution of certificates, cultural programmes, sports activities etc.
ACD Anantnag Mohammad Aslam, BDOs of Vessu, Qazigund, Verinag and Shahabad, and officers from line departments accompanied the designated officers.