The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today visited border district Kupwara and chaired the Weekly public outreach programme, Block Diwas at Wavoora in picturesque Lolab Subdivision of Kupwara district.The Vice Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir was also present at the occasion.The Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imam Din, SSP Kupwara Yougal Manhas, senior officers of District Administration also participated in the Block Diwas programme.The programme was largely attended by people of the area, besides BDC Chairperson, Mohammad Rafeeq, PRIs, Numberdars and Chowkidars.In his address, the Div Com gave the historical background of Panchayat Raj System and said that in Jammu and Kashmir it will take some time to grow strongly at grassroots level as it started just two year ago. He urged the officers to respect PRIs and provide requisite information to them, adding that they (officers) should not feel any encroachment when they (PRIs) come to their offices.He said the essence of democracy is that people shall rule themselves and decide for themselves what is good or bad for them. He said "We are here for them, they are not for us", adding that we need to attend Public Representatives on priority basis.Quoting Lolab Valley as the Land of Love and beauty, Pole said that people of Lolab have ever since known as lovers of peace.
He said people here are still adopting the values of Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri, whose birth place is here in Lolab.Replying to questions raised by public representatives regarding holding of meetings and its outcome and establishment of domestic airport, the Div Com said that Panchayat Raj System consists of three tiers and each tier has its own level of powers which shall be utilized in full.He said all issues projected by VC DDC and other public representatives shall be looked into on priority and assured that all demands would be fulfilled in a time bound manner.Regarding power curtailment, Div com stressed for strict implementation of curtailment schedule and directed for timely completion of augmentation of Arampora grid so that people of Kupwara district get instant relief in this winter.Regarding employment, the Div Com exhorted youth to take interest in self employment schemes for which the Government provides every kind of facilities, including financial assistance and technical know-how.On the occasion, Div com distributed baby kits, soil health certificates, Golden Cards, e-Shram cards, PM Disha certificates, RBA and Phari Speaking certificates.The VC DDC in his address vigorously projected the issues of the Lolab Subdivision and demanded immediate completion of Lolab-Bandipora road and tehsil status for Wavoora block. He expressed his pleasure for holding block diwas programme at wavoora and added that holding of Block Diwas programme is a unique developmental initiative given by the present LG Government to provide maximum governance at the doorsteps of the people.He complimented Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for reaching out to the public, especially in far-flung and border areas of the district and resolving public issues in a time bound manner.
He also enlisted the developmental works completed during the year. He stressed for acceleration of development tempo in the district so that targets fixed for the current financial year could be achieved within the stipulated time frame.Deputy Commissioner in his address said that the Government is committed to provide equitable developmental benefits in all urban and rural areas of the district. He said that the three tier Panchayati Raj System has increased the expectations of the public and assured that all demands shall be fulfilled step by step.BDC Chairperson Wavoora, various Sarpanchs and public representatives also spoke on the occasion and projected development issues of the area.District Officers also spoke on the occasion and replied to the queries raised by the public during the Block Diwas programme. They also gave thorough awareness of developmental schemes and welfare programmes of their respective departments.ACD Kupwara while replying to queries raised by the public said that 1.37 lakh mandays/ person days of work were generated during the year. Ex. Engineers of PDD and Jal Shakti besides BMO Sogam also replied to the queries in front of Div com.Block Development Officer, Wavoora/ Sogam briefed about the achievements carried out in the Lolab Subdivision.Div Com also planted a forest sapling in the Eidgah of wavoora, which was appreciated by the local populace.Later, Div com visited Chandigam and other places of the Lolab and reviewed the developmental profile of the area.Block Diwas programmes were also held at BakiAkher in Handwara subdivision under the Chairmanship of ADC Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir.Likewise Block Diwas programme was held at Dragmulla block under the Chairmanship of ADC Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat.Block Diwas programme was also held at Khawarpara in Karnah subdivision under the Chairmanship of BDC Karnah and Tehsildar Karnah.