District Administration Budgam today organised a comprehensive District-Level Public Darbar-cum-Workshop on Good Governance at Town Hall, Khansahib, under the flagship initiative “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore”. The daylong programme was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat.
The focus of the programme was overarching the objective of strengthening transparency, administrative efficiency, public accountability and citizen-centric service delivery at the grassroots level. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of citizens, frontline service providers, district and sub-district officers, reflecting the spirit of participatory governance and direct public engagement.
The initiative was aimed at fostering meaningful interaction between the administration and the people, while simultaneously sensitising government functionaries on the core principles of Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability, Responsiveness and Timely Delivery of Public Services.
Addressing the gathering, the DC emphasised that good governance must translate from policy frameworks into visible outcomes on the ground. He highlighted that the true essence of 'Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore' lies in taking governance to the doorstep of the people, ensuring that grievances are addressed promptly, services are delivered efficiently and public trust in institutions is continuously strengthened.
“Good governance is not limited to rules and procedures, it is reflected in the daily conduct of officers and the quality of services delivered to citizens. Our focus must be on proactive administration, where issues are anticipated and resolved with sensitivity and empathy,” the DC remarked.
He further underlined that the ultimate objective of governance is to ensure that the benefits of government welfare schemes reach the last person in the queue without delay, inconvenience or discrimination. Stressing the need for a paradigm shift, the DC called upon officers to move from a reactive approach to a proactive, citizen-friendly and solution-oriented administration.
During the Public Darbar, the DC patiently listened to a wide range of issues and grievances raised by citizens pertaining to public services, development works, healthcare, education, revenue matters and welfare schemes. He issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned departments for time-bound redressal of grievances and instructed officers to adopt a humane, responsive and accountable approach while dealing with public concerns.
The workshop component of the programme focused on key pillars of good governance, including the Public Services Guarantee Act, effective Grievance Redressal Mechanisms, transparency in public service delivery and zero tolerance towards corruption.
Officers were sensitised about their roles and responsibilities in ensuring efficient service delivery and upholding ethical standards in public administration. The DC also impressed upon officers to institutionalise regular public outreach programmes, field visits, grievance redressal camps and Jan Samvaad initiatives to bridge the gap between the administration and the public.
He stressed that continuous engagement with citizens is essential for understanding ground realities and building trust in governance institutions. On the occasion, the DC also distributed sanction letters among various beneficiaries under different government welfare schemes, reaffirming the District Administration’s commitment to timely, transparent and inclusive delivery of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the prompt support and responsive approach of the administration. The DC reiterated that the District Administration Budgam remains committed to further strengthening responsive, transparent and people-centric governance, and will continue to ensure that public institutions remain accessible, accountable and dedicated to serving citizens in an efficient and time-bound manner.
The programme was attended by Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Budgam, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Khansahib, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Budgam, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Education Officer (CEO), Tehsildar Khansahib, along with heads of various line departments and other senior officers.