District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Anshul Garg, today asked all Chairpersons of Block Development Council (BDC)of the district to prioritise work plan under Gram Panchayat Plan in such a way that crucial sectors like power and health could be focussed and funds utilized in a proper way.The DDC was addressing a joint meeting of BDC Chairpersons, District Officers, Executive Engineers of R&B, PHE and PDD, Block Development Officers and Block Medical Officers.The Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone, Joint Director Planning, Abdul Majeed were also present in the meeting.The meeting discussed various issues relating to the formulation of action plan submitted by BDC Chairpersons, installation of Drop Boxes in all Panchayat Ghars, improvement of LT Network, installation of poles and solar street lights in the district.It was given out that 253 works of PDD, RDD and PHE have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.5 crore under Back to Village Programme Phase 1st out of which Rs.4.28 crore have been expended and 166 works completed while 87 works are in progress. Under Phase 2nd of Back to Village Programme, 146 works have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.2.40 crore to improve the Power sector in the district and an amount of Rs.1.60 crore have been utilized on these works till date.
The DDC informed the BDC Chairpersons that Rs.1.25 crore (Rs.5 lakh for each block) have been allocated as additional funds to meet the demands put forth during B2V2. He stressed for prioritizing the power and health sector so that funds could be utilized in an effective way for the welfare of the people.Regarding coverage of various pension schemes of Social Welfare Department, the DDC said that targets have been set for 100 per cent coverage of widows, physically challenged persons having more than 40 per cent disability and old aged persons above 70 years. He urged upon the BDC Chairpersons to cooperate with Social Welfare Department in identifying the beneficiaries.Regarding disbursement of funds under Swach Bharat Mission, the DDC said that Rs.1.50 crore have been disbursed during last 20 days to clear the liabilities.Reviewing the process of installation of Drop Boxes in all Panchayat Ghars as per the directive of Lieutenant Governor J&K, the DDC asked all concerned to install Drop Boxes in each Panchayat by January 1st. The DDC also reviewed the centrally sponsored JalJeevan Mission Programme under which every uncovered habitation would be provided taped drinking water by 2021. It was given out that 4 blocks namely Chowkibal, Tangdar, Tarathpora and Handwara have been identified to be covered under JalJeevan mission - phase 1st.The BDC Chairpersons raised various issues regarding the development of their respective blocks.