Director, Rural Development Department Kashmir, Qazi Sarwar today visited far-flung areas of district Shopian including Zainapora, Imamsahib, Chitragam, Wachi and other areas to take stock of ongoing developmental works.The Director inspected several constructions and other developmental works on drains, culverts, nallahs, roads and khuls etc. being executed under MGNREGA.He under-took the tour of rural areas outside containment zones to take first hand appraisal of the economic hardships being faced by the public due to lockdown period.Sarwar said that the department’s endeavor is to give importance to rural economy and facilitate employment of labor in rural areas, “developmental activities in the district has been resumed under flagship employment guarantee scheme MGNREGA to provide much needed man-days to rural populace amid covid-19 pandemic to mitigate their financial crisis,” he added.Director said that works are being executed as per the guidelines issued by the government for protection against covid-19 pandemic besides the department is also actively involved in distribution of masks among the rural masses and strictly follow the advisories and maintaining social distance to prevent transmission of virus.
He said a bridge at Wachi is coming up with an estimated cost of Rs 40 lac and will be completed within the stipulated time frame in current financial year.On the occasion, Director interacted with the locals, gave patient hearing to their demands and assured them for early redressal of their grievances.He said that Rural Development Department is playing a vital role in the containment of Coronavirus in rural areas through mass awareness among the people and the department is working in close coordination with district administration in the management and containment of Covid-19 in rural areas.Director said that among 98 panchayat halqas of the district, the work on 94 panchayat halqas is in progress while work on rest of the panchayat halqas declared as red zones will be started after they are declared as green zones.Later, during a meeting with District Development Commissioner Shopian and district officers, threadbare discussion were held on developmental and other works in the district.