Kupwara district panchayat wins National Award

KUPWARA, April 7: In a marvelous moment, Phulmarg panchayat of Tarathpora block in Kupwara district has brought laurels by bagging National award under Water Sufficient Panchayat theme for the year 2021-22.

According to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Dr Doifode Sagar Phalmarg Panchayt of Block Tarathpora was conferred National Award under “Water Sufficient Panchayat” theme of Local Sustainable Goals (LSDG’s) by the Union Ministry of Rural development and Panchayat Raj Govt. of India in recognition of the best performance at grass roots level in improving delivery of services and achieving saturation in different indicators.

This award shall be officially presented on April 18 on the occasion of celebration of National Panchayat award week at New Delhi (from 17th to 21st April, 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2.0

Meanwhile, the DC has appreciated the concerned functionaries and PRIs associated with the achievement and hoped that other panchayats of the district will work with more zeal and dedication so that the district will shine and get more awards in coming days.

Elaborating the details, Assistant Commissioner Development Kupwara Hilal Ahmad Mir has  informed that the national awards have been conferred  to Phulmarg Panchayat of Kupwara district in recognition to the best performance achieved in making the panchayat water sufficient and improving other parameters.

Officials of award winning Phalmarg Panchayat said that, to make remote Phulmarg  Panchayat water sufficient , a 13 member  village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) was framed with members from Jal Shakti dept, RDD, Forest and PRI members. 20000 Ltr. capacity Water Service Reservoir (WSR) was constructed at Hatchmerg and supply pipes were laid and all Households were provided clean drinking tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme.

To harvest the Snow water and Rainwater an old and dilapidated Phalmerg Sar (water storage reservoir) was renovated and developed under 14th Fc grants.

To provide round the year irrigation facility, the water of   Bangus Nallah was tapped into fields of the panchayat by constructing a 3-Km long irrigation canal under 14th FC and MGNREGA convergence.

Improved irrigation facilities resulted in an increase in crop yields of Paddy, Maize, Pulses, vegetables and potatoes in Panchayat.

For recharge of ground water of Panchayat 3 No’s of water Harvesting Tanks were constructed under MGNREGA with a Water holding capacity of more than 15000 ltr each. 125 Ground water recharge pits were constructed in convergence with NREGA and Forest Dept to recharge underground water tables.

In addition to this 83 soakage pits were constructed to dispose-off the waste water and grey water emanating out of the households to improve the water conservation and to retain humidity of soil.

8 Vermi compost pits were constructed to make organic fertiliser out of raw cow dung.

Meanwhile Commissioner Secretary RDD & Panchayt Raj, Mandeep Kour while congratulating award winning Panchayat of Kupwara has said that it is a moment of pride that Phalmarg Panchayat has exhibited exemplary work in respective thematic areas.

It is truly a remarkable feat, and would not have been possible without the effective monitoring by the District team under the supervision of DC.

“This achievement was also made possible by the dedicated and tireless efforts of the concerned Director, ACD, ACP, BDO, Secretary Panchayat and concerned PRIs” Commissioner Secretary said.