As part of government's ambitious public outreach program, Secretary ARI and Trainings Department, Shabnam Kamili, today visited Ganderbal and convened a Public Darbar to assess and address the issues and grievances of the people. The event, held at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Manigam, saw substantial public participation, including DDC member Lar and delegations from various adjoining areas.
These delegations presented their grievances and demands, seeking speedy redressal. Key issues and demands raised by the participants included timely completion of ongoing water schemes, widening of Beehama Pandach road, macadamization of Chattergul Bala road, identification of new tourist spots in the district, additional accommodation for High School Waliwar, establishment of a bank branch at Theeru, drainage for irrigation purposes, upgradation of Baba Canal, lift irrigation for Arhama and Manigam areas and completion of various developmental projects in the district.
Several representatives thanked the administration for timely completion of several vital projects in the district. The camp was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gulzar Ahmad; ACR, GM DIC, ACD, CPO, Executive Engineers of various engineering wings, Tehsildar Lar, and other officers from the district administration.
The Secretary commended the locals for their participation in the public darbar and assured them that the current administration is working tirelessly to ensure their socio-economic empowerment. After giving a patient hearing to the grievances and demands, she sought immediate response from the concerned District Officers present during the Grievance Redressal Camp.
In her address, Shabnam Kamili assured the participants that their grievances and demands would be taken up with the concerned authorities for appropriate action. She also encouraged the officers to engage actively with the public, providing more accountable and responsive governance at their doorstep.
The Secretary suggested that minor issues should be raised in Gram Sabhas and resolved at the district level whenever possible saying that the BDOs should prepare a development plan from the grassroots level, involving locals. During the meeting, work progress on Special Cells for Women of both the UTs from 1st January to 30th June 2024 was presented by Balwant Singh, Coordinator, RCI-VAW, TISS to the committee.
He also highlighted the measures initiated by the social workers on ground for effective functioning of the Special Cells in J&K and Ladakh. During this period, the Special Cells have reached out to 2192 women survivors of violence to provide psycho-social support.
The meeting was attended by members of the Monitoring Committee including Rajiv Omprakash Pande, DIG, Central Kashmir Range; Dr. Trupti Jhaveri Panchal, Member Secretary of Committee; Harvinder Kaur, Mission Director, Mission Shakti, Social Welfare, J&K; Farhan J. Naqash, representative of ADGP-Ladakh; Qazi Qayoom, Joint Director Prosecution; Dr. Shazia Manzoor, HoD, Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir; Dr. Vinay Kumar, Department of Social Work, Central University, Jammu; Ananya Singh, Counsellor, (Legal) Suo-Moto Cell, NCW; Sameena Mir, Gender Specialist, Social Welfare, J&K; Saima Shah, Coordinator, Special Cells, Kashmir Division and Priksha Sharma, Coordinator, Jammu Division Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, J&K; Tashi Dolma, Director, Social & Tribal Welfare Ladakh; Vishal Manhas, representative of ADGP-Jammu Division; Dr. Yangchan Dolma, Assistant Professor, University College, Leh participated through video conference.
Additionally, DySP-HQs (Nodal Officer of Special Cells at district level), In-charge of Women Police Station/Cell, DLSA officials, OSC Centre Administrators, Department of Health & Mission Poshan, representatives were part of the meeting in-person and online. They shared their experiences and suggestions to strengthen the coordination on the response to violence against women.