The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya today chaired a meeting with regard to the PRI Conference at Mini Secretariat Arhama, here.

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The focus of the meeting was to strengthen the executive machinery and encompassed discussion on plan formulation, implementation of development works, social audit of welfare schemes, wide dissemination of social benefits and promoting Jan Bhagidari in good governance initiatives.

The Officers shared their views on various aspects of the development.

The DDC said that the three tier Panchayati Raj system has been extremely effective in translating peoples’ genuine demands into development plans and then regularly following up to ensure the issue is addressed through execution of the plan.

Vaishya said that he is hopeful that the interaction with administrative machinery during the conference and in the upcoming UT level PRI conference will further refine the formulation and execution of development plans and eventually translate to prosperity for the common man.

He said that the District Administration is earnestly working to make the entire structure transparent and accessible to the public in a total hassle- free manner.

He further added that in order to ensure effective implementation of flagship and other government schemes at the grassroots level, a public outreach campaign has been launched to raise awareness and highlight the schemes being implemented for the empowerment of the common masses.

“Janta Ki Scheme Janta Ki Bhagidari”,  the DDC focused on improving access of people to the Janbhagidari empowerment portal and said that it is a simple way of viewing details  of all ongoing works in an area to inform and solicit people’s participation in the development process and corruption-free clean Governance.

Empowerment is an initiative to bring transparency in the execution of works by enabling common masses to overview works being implemented in their areas.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Simnani, Chief Planning Officer Shopian, Khursheed Ahmad Khatana, SDM, Zainapora, Asstt Commissioner Panchayat and all District and Sectoral Officers.

The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya today visited various far-off areas of Zainapora Shopian, besides he also too first-hand appraisal of progress on developmental works.

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The DDC also visited and inspected the maintenance of road works, protection bund at Sofipora Zainapora and directed the concerned executing authorities to expedite the pace of ongoing maintenance works to ensure timely completion of road connectivity and other developmental works in these areas.

He also emphasised upon them for activating their developmental activities to facilitate the general masses of the area.

The SDM apprised the DDC about the progress in the maintenance of roads and other developmental works and informed that all out efforts are made to restore the connectivity to these area besides completing the under construction works going on speedily.

Earlier, DDC visited Sub Divisional Office Zainapora and inspected the ongoing Developmental works in the area, besides holding an interactive meeting with the SDM, Tehsildar and other officers.

Discussion was also held by the DDC with all other officers and directed to submit a full action plan in this regard based on the requirement of developmental works.

Sub Divisional Magistrate, Zainapora, Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Tehsildar, Zainapora, Block Development Officers, besides other officers accompanied the DDC during the visit.

KUPWARA, JULY 20 2021 The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today directed district administration Kupwara to strictly implement the COVID-19 SOPs on ground to stop any kind of resurgence of pandemic, in view of Eid festival.

He also appealed the people of Kupwara district to support the administrative decisions by following COVID Appropriate Behaviour religiously and honestly and avoid holding big congregations.

The Div Com, who was on a day’s visit to Kupwara district, was addressing a largely attended officers meeting at Conference Hall, DC Office, Kupwara today.

Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Irfan Sultan Panditpori, Vice Chairman DDC , Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imam Din, SSP Kupwara, G V Sandeep , Director Health Services Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Additional District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir were present in the meeting, besides, others.

The Div Com said that the objective of his visit and holding meeting at border district Kupwara is to review the ground situation with regard to COVID mitigation measures. He appreciated the efforts of district Administration and Health department for their best efforts in curbing spread of dreaded COVID pandemic, inspite of large size of the district in terms of population, topography and area.

The Div Com stressed upon all stakeholders to play their role in complete eradication of COVID from the district. He said PRIs have a vital role to play in motivating the people for vaccination and other Covid guidelines. He said Eid or any other religious festival should not become the reason for resurgence of COVID pandemic. He stressed for constituting of Village level Committees to monitor the vaccination process in consultation with BLOs.

Chairman DDC Kupwara and VC DDC spoke on the occasion and appreciated the district Administration, Doctors, paramedics and all other stakeholders for upholding remarkable services in curbing the pandemic.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din gave a detailed resume of COVID mitigation activities through power point presentation.

Among others, who attend the meeting include SP Handwara, SDM, Lolab, SDM Karnah, Assistant Commissioner (Dev), Assistant Commissioner (Panchayat), Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Officer, Nodal Officers vaccination of all Medical Blocks, Dy. CMO , District Health Officer, (Nodal Officer, COVID dedicated Hospital, SDH Kupwara), District Immunization Officer, Tehsildars, BDOs, BMOs, ZEOs, CDPOs, In-charge COVID Control Room, PRIs and other concerned.

Later, the Divisional Commissioner launched MUMKIN scheme at DC Office Kupwara in presence of Chairman DDC, VC DDC, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara and other concerned officers and handed over keys of vehicles among 4 beneficiaries under the scheme.

On the occasion, it was given out that vehicle are provided under Mission Youth at subsidized rates to empower the youth to earn their livelihood.

District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan today reviewed the progress of the various ongoing developmental projects in the district here at a meeting of the concerned officers held in the Conference Hall of the PWD Dak Bunglow.

Among others, ADDC, Pawan Kumar; CPO, Mohammad Khurshid; SE Jal Shakti Department, JP Singh; ACD, Sushil Khajuria; Officer Commanding 57 RCC, Officer Commanding 58 RCC, CDR 21 BRTF besides the other concerned officers attended the meeting.

Concerning Rajouri-Thanamandi road being constructed by the BRO, the concerned officer from the GREF informed that the assessment of structures and assessment of fruit-bearing and non- fruit bearing trees is pending.

The District Development Commissioner directed concerned officers from PWD Rajouri division and concerned officers from the Forest and Horticulture Department to submit the assessment of the structures and of the fruit and non- fruit-bearing trees respectively within 15 days. The concerned officers from GREF were also asked to ensure the proper maintenance of the border roads.

The District Development Commissioner also sought a detailed report from the concerned officer regarding the progress on NH 144-A. It was informed that the joint verification of the tree assessment in the villages Mawa, Thandapani and Balshama is pending. The DDC directed for carrying out the joint verification of the tree assessment in the said villages at the earliest.

The District Development Commissioner also asked for the Joint verification for shifting of utilities of Jal Shakti and JPDCL on Rajouri Thanamandi road and NH144-A within the shortest possible time.

While reviewing the progress on PMGSY roads, the DDC asked the concerned officers to speed up the work on blacktopping of the roads and earth cutting besides, he also directed for maintaining quality while executing the work on the roads.

Concerning the status of B2V works, EXN REW said 754 works have been projected and are in the tendering process. The DDC directed to expedite the pace on the works approved under B2V to provide necessary benefits to the common masses. Reviewing the status of registration of the contractors, the DDC asked the concerned officers to speed up the process in this connection.

Regarding the progress on GDC Sunderbani building, the concerned Executive Engineer was asked to complete the work on the building in all respects by 15 August this year.

Chief Executive Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), Babila Rakwal. in presence of  the Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Mussarat Islam, launched a publicity cum awareness programme for installation of solar power agriculture  pumps under  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Uthan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM) scheme in the district, here today.

 DDC Councilor, Renuka Katoch; ADDC, Rajinder Sharma; CAO, Farooq Ahmad, other senior officers, PRIs and farmers attended the programme.

After launching the awareness campaign, the CEO, JAKEDA said that the PM-KUSUM scheme has been launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Gol for uplift of farmers in the country. In the first phase 5000 Solar Powered Pumps shall be installed in J&K out of which 2500 will be installed in the current fiscal, she added.

She said that keeping in view the topography and irrigation challenges in the district, the UT level campaign was started from Ramban to provide maximum benefit to farmers of the district from this beneficiary oriented schemes.

She said that under the scheme, Subsidized Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps in the capacity range of 2 HP to 10 HP shall be installed throughout the country. The scheme provides for 50% subsidy from the Central Government, 30% from the Govt. of J&K and only 20% as farmer’s share.

The scheme shall be implemented in J&K by the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), department of Science & Technology.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC asked the DDC Councilor and PRIs to sensitize the farmers to take benefit of this farmer- friendly scheme. He also highlighted the advantages of solar pumps over the conventional ones which would save fossil fuel and electricity apart from preserving the environment.  He also urged the farmers to submit their applications to the concerned committee headed by the Chief Agriculture Officer.

The DC said that with the installation of solar pumps our dependence on electricity, petrol and Diesel would come down which will be economically beneficial for the farmers.

This will also provide an additional source of income to farmers who will be in a position to use this energy for other purposes.

 Later, an interaction session was also held in which technical experts cleared doubts of the farmers.

Scores of farmers from nearby areas attended the programme amid strict observance of Covid Safety protocol.

District Development Council Member Sunderbani, Rajinder Kumar who was the chief guest, congratulated the Department for organizing the awareness camp.

The DDC member said that farmers are the backbone of the society and the best possible efforts are being made to enhance their income. He informed that many schemes have been rolled out by the Government for the welfare of the farmer community and urged upon them to avail   the benefits of the same.

The DDC member urged the farmers to take up sericulture on a commercial basis to achieve economic self-reliance.

The DDC member impressed upon the officers and field functionaries to redouble their efforts for effective implementation of Govt schemes to benefit the farmers. He said that along with Agriculture, sericulture can also become a major sector to improve the economic condition of the farmers.

The DDC member also distributed thirty rearing kits among the farmers of three mulberry zones, including Bhambla, Sunderbani and Kangri under the Silk Samagra scheme of the Sericulture Department.

Among the others, Vice Chairman Town area Committee Sunderbani; District Sericulture Officer and field staff of the Sericulture and farmers from nearby areas attended the camp.

REASI, 23JUNE,2021-  Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Reasi, Saraf Singh Nag today laid the foundation for construction of Rs 2.22 crore NABARD funded Goddar Khalsa to SC Mohalla road here at Pouni.

The 2.175 Km road project will connect villages Godder, Khalsa, Taleen and Khubad besides providing connectivity to a large rural area with Reasi town and proposed highway.

A total of over 1000 souls would be benefitted by constructing this road which has been proposed to be completed in 12 months by the Public Works Department (PWD). The road was burning demand of inhabitants of the area for a long time.

The major components of the road project are Earth cutting, construction of B/Wall, R/wall, Pucca drains, culverts, laying of 150 mm thick GSB, 75 mm thick WMM, 50 mm thick BM, 25 mm thick SDBC etc.

Later, interacting with people, the Chairperson said that the central government is keen to provide road connectivity to all unconnected habitations in far flung areas under PMGSY, NABARD, CRF etc. He further said that a number of road projects have been proposed under PMGSY and other schemes for unconnected habitations of Reasi district.

He also said that the District Development Council (DDC) Reasi has also proposed a large number of link roads in capex budget with the sole purpose of connecting all small habitations in the district.

The Chairperson further said that people centric development is being prioritized in Reasi for providing the basic amenities to all. He also added that concerned departments have already been instructed for taking up of up-gradation of existing roads which will give major fillip to tourism, revenue generation, trade and create employment avenues.

Among others present on the occasion included BDC Chairperson Pouni, Pawan Sharma; DDC Member Pouni-A Kewal Sharma; Executive Engineer R&B, Janak Raj; Sarpanches Anil Sharma, Dawarka Nath, Rampal Sharma, Gazan Parkash Sharma, Arun Sharma, Dev Raj Sharma, Chaman Lal Sharma etc.

BUDGAM,23 JUNE,201-  A meeting to review the status of works taken in hand, ongoing, works completed under MGNREGA, IWMP and 14th FC was convened here today under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza.

The meeting also reviewed the pace and progress made on the works and projects taken up under the B2V programme across the district in all 296 panchayats.

Speaking in the meeting, the DC reiterated that targets shall be completed as soon as possible, keeping in view the overall improvement in Covid-19 situation. He said our focus shall be to use as many resources for conservation of water and its harvesting.

The DC further instructed all BDOs and concerned engineers to give impetus to developmental scenarios since the funding under District Capex has been increased.

He emphasized that timely payment, Aadhar linking and Geo tagging of assets shall be carried out on war footing basis. There shall be strict action taken against defaulting contractors for not initiating works related to rural development, the DC added.

While giving details, the ACD Budgam, Nuzhat Qureshi said that under MGNREGA programme for the Financial Year 2021-22 about 2100 works have been identified to be taken up. Among these, estimation of 1414 works is completed in different areas. She said an amount of Rs. 42.11 Cr has been allotted under MGNREGA for the financial year of 2021-22. She added that works identified include 552 spill over targets as well.

Under IWMP scheme, ACD revealed that for conservation and harvesting of water works, 196 works have been approved, out of these 42 works have been completed through convergence mode, the remaining 154 works shall be executed through non convergence mode. In addition 800 projects have been completed and work on the remaining 26 projects is going on at various spots.

She said, simultaneously our focus is also on preserving springs and developing ponds and in this regard 158 spots have been identified including development, restructuring of 22 ponds, an amount of Rs 38.49 lacs will be spent under the scheme.

ACD further revealed in the meeting that 129 play fields have been developed under this programme and the target is to add more 145 to it.

Regarding B2V programme works, ACD said till date out of 299 works, 283 have been tendered and 93 stand allotted for execution.  While giving details regarding 14th FC works, she said out of 4066 works, presently work is going on 2411 works and 1998 stand completed.

BUDGAM,22 JUNE,2021-  In his routine press briefing about COVID-19 status in the district, the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam today said that the situation has improved enormously all across the district.

Giving details, the DDC said that since April, 1st District Budgam has recorded 14187 positive cases of COVID-19, among these 13584 patients have  recovered till date. He further said that at present there are only 640 positive cases  across the district, Bed occupancy is very low, positivity rate  has also come down drastically and is now below 2 percent besides the recovery rate has  reached to 96.98 percent.

Regarding vaccination status the DDC said it is going smoothly and steadily  as about 80 percent of the population of the age group  of 45 and above have been vaccinated .Simultaneously with regard to the age group of 18-44, 30 percent vaccination  target has been achieved  till date .

Regarding easing  of restrictions,  the DDC clarified  that since  the situation has improved gradually  the administration has decide  to  allow  the opening of shops, markets, other business establishments and  now these  will remain open 5 days a week from 7AM to 7PM. However there will be strict implementation of curfew norms all week days i.e Saturdays, Sundays.

He said apart from allowing the opening  of Shops  and simultaneous relaxation of these curbs, public shall not let the things  go beyond  control as danger still has not been averted.

The DDC once again appealed to the general public to take adhering of all SOPs and other guidelines strictly, and maintain social distancing besides avoid gatherings.

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