Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today conducted a tour of border villages and presided over a series of Special Gram Sabhas and awareness programmes for the formulation of plans under the Government of India’s Vibrant Village Programme.
The Gram Sabhas were organised in identified border villages including Rathua, Ganjnal, Kadyala and Gujjar Chack to ensure participatory planning and the preparation of robust, need-based development plans aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants.
The programme witnessed significant participation from local residents who actively shared their issues, aspirations and suggestions for incorporation into the village development plans. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by ADDC Surinder Mohan Sharma, GM DIC Mushtaq Chaudhary, PO ICDS Mohammed Syed, SDM Hiranagar Phulail Singh, CPO Ranjeet Thakur and other district and sectoral officers.
During the Gram Sabhas, the concerned Nodal Officers of Rathua, Ganjnal, Kadyala and Gujjar Chack read out the draft plans prepared with inputs from the inhabitants of their respective villages. The Deputy Commissioner urged participants to highlight issues not covered in the draft so they could be duly incorporated into the final plan document.
Several locals, including former Panchayati Raj Institution members, raised issues related to civic amenities, infrastructure gaps and border-specific concerns. The concerned Nodal Officers took note of the demands for inclusion in the final draft plan.
While interacting with residents at Rathua, the Deputy Commissioner stated that the purpose of organising awareness-cum-Gram Sabhas was to involve every stakeholder and ensure holistic planning with a particular focus on youth and women.
He emphasised the need to ensure the saturation of eligible beneficiaries under various government schemes and the augmentation of development infrastructure in border villages in a phased and sustainable manner. He further assured that more awareness camps would be organised in border areas to educate the public about government schemes and services, aiming to transform these villages into model habitations under the Vibrant Village Programme.
Later, a similar awareness camp-cum-Gram Sabha was held at Government High School Kadyala, presided over by ADDC Surinder Mohan Sharma. The district administration team patiently heard the aspirations and feedback of the locals and issued necessary directions on the spot to the concerned officers.
On both occasions, district and sectoral officers briefed the Gram Sabhas about the schemes and services implemented by their respective departments and encouraged the public to avail the benefits in a timely manner.
Pertinently, border villages Bobiya, Kadyala, Ganjnal, Karol Krishna, Rathua and Gujjar Chack have been identified under the Vibrant Village Programme of the Government of India to ensure saturation of welfare schemes for inhabitants and to augment development infrastructure in these villages.