DC Bandipora conducts marathon tour of Sumbal; presides over Block Diwas at Shilvath

Inspects ongoing JJM & other developmental works; also visits Transit Accommodation coming up at Odina

BANDIPORA, March 15: Continuing with Block Diwas initiative of Lt. Governor’s Administration, special public grievance redressal camps were held across Bandipora district on Wednesday to get the first hand appraisal of the issues faced by the public.

The public interaction programme witnessed huge participation of locals, especially women who were enthusiastic about presenting the issues of the area before the District Administration teams.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad attended the Block Diwas at Government School Shilvat in Sumbal Sub Division  of the district and gave patient hearing to all issues put forth and took on spot decisions for speedy redressal.

He was accompanied by SDM Sumbal, Executive Engineers of PDD, Irrigation and Flood Control, PHE, BDO Sumbal and other senior officers of the district.

On the occasion, locals including members of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) highlighted issues of public importance and sought early redressal of their grievances.

Apart from other issues people raised the issues of excess power tariff, stressed on ensuring regular power supply, availability of pure drinking water and ration, Solid Waste management in Panchayats, renovation of water bodies, macadamization of left out roads and maintaining Student Teacher ratio in schools.

The DC gave patient hearing to all the delegations and assured them that their grievances will be taken up on priority. He urged the people to actively participate in Gram Sabhas to decide about utilization of funds on their own and become part of the governance at grass roots level. He asked concerned officers to ensure participation of people in Gram Sabhas so that they become part of the decision making.

Dr Owais said funds allocated to DDCs and other PRIs are meant to ensure development as per local needs. He said PRIs helped to change the attitude of top down governance model and instead now the developmental plans come from grass roots level.

Later, the DC visited Odina, Sumbal to inspect the ongoing works on the Transit Accommodation.

During his visit to the site, the DC assessed the progress on ongoing works there.

SDM Sumbal and concerned engineers from executing departments briefed the DC about progress of work on the project.

Officers at Transit Accommodation informed that transit accommodation is coming up at the cost of Rs 57.60 crores comprising 480 flats in 30 blocks. They said each block is four-storied with four flats in each storey, totaling 16 flats in each block.

The concerned executing department informed that 14 blocks are near completion and will be ready to use by the end of this month. It was further apprised that work on other blocks is in full swing and shall be completed within the set deadlines.

Earlier, the DC inspected several ongoing works being executed under the Rural Development Department including construction of Stone-made Gate at Shilvat under DDC grants.

The DC also inspected ongoing works on retrofitting of Water Supply Scheme Shilvath being constructed under Jal Jeevan Mission at the cost of Rs 7.34 Cr.

Dr Owais directed the officers to expedite the work to complete it at an earliest. He said the scheme will benefit at least 5000 souls by providing pure drinking water as per the aim of the JJM.

Similar public Redressal camps were also held in other blocks of the district and were attended by a handsome population to raise issues of  public interest.