Block Diwas: DC Kathua visits Dhar Mahanpur, chairs Public Outreach programme

Emphasises on tapping of Horticulture potential, promotion of ‘Home Stays’ in high altitude areas  

KATHUA, February 15: As part of weekly Block Diwas initiative of the government, a Public Outreach Programme was today presided over by Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Pandey in the premises of Panchayat Ghar, Dhar Mahanpur.

 BDC Chairperson Dhar Mahanpur, Sushma Karyal; DDC Member Mahanpur,  Tajender Singh; ADC Basohli, Ajeet Singh,  district officers and officials, besides a large number of people attended the programme.

 The programme witnessed scores of individuals and deputations including PRI members projecting demands and appraising the DC about the problems being faced by the inhabitants of their respective areas.

 The people submitted a memorandum of demands highlighting issues seeking their resolution including better road connectivity, drinking water supply and installation of electric poles, early completion of PMGSY roads, and shortage of staff in the Education and Health department besides other amenities.

 Besides, the demand for opening of extension counter of J&K Bank branch, opening of new PHC at Dhar Mahanpur was also raised on the occasion.

 Listening patiently to the demands of people, DC passed on spot instructions to the concerned departments for time bound resolution of all the issues.

 The DC said the motive behind these outreach programmes was to get first hand appraisal of the problems and development needs of the people and work out the mechanism to address them in a time bound manner. He assured people that the projected issues will be looked into and efforts will be made to redress them on priority basis.

 The DC disclosed that district administration has submitted a proposal to BSNL authorities to cover uncovered pockets of the district including hilly, far off areas and border belt to provide better mobile network connectivity.

 Underscoring the need to explore avenues in the Horticulture and Tourism Sector, the DC passed directions to concerned officers to motivate locals to avail benefits under the departmental schemes as the area is suitable for both the sectors. He also emphasized on the concept of ‘Home Stay’ in tourist areas as it has potential to transform lives of people living in such areas by providing additional income with minimal effort and investment.   

 On the occasion, the DC inspected the stalls installed by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Health, NCDS, Leprosy, Ayush, ICDS, Agriculture, Horticulture, J&K Bank, J&K Grameen Bank, UMEED etc

 Similarly, Block Diwas proceeding was also held at Billawar sub division.