District Development Commissioner (DDC) Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, today presided over a Block Diwas programme at the Block Headquarters, Bufliaz, providing a platform for residents to interact directly with the district administration and raise grievances, developmental concerns and public welfare issues.
The proceedings were conducted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Surankote Farooq Khan, who spoke on the initiative's role in promoting transparent and accountable governance. During the interactive session, residents, public representatives and members of civil society raised various issues.
Major demands included improvement of road connectivity leading to the Health Centre at Bufliaz, upgradation of infrastructure at the Panchayat Ghar and enhancement of educational facilities through upgradation of Middle and High Schools in the area.
Residents also raised issues concerning ration cards and requested inclusion of all eligible families under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category as per norms. They sought strengthening of healthcare facilities at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Bufliaz through posting of adequate medical officers, availability of paramedical staff and provision of a dedicated ambulance service.
The youth of the area appealed for establishment of a sports stadium and development of sports infrastructure. Several other issues pertaining to rural infrastructure, public utilities and socio-economic development of the area were also raised.
Government departments set up information stalls at the venue, where officials disseminated details of ongoing schemes and beneficiary-oriented programmes. The DDC heard all grievances and demands, and assured the gathering that genuine issues had been recorded and that the departments concerned had been directed to examine them for time-bound action.
The DDC urged people, particularly farmers and rural entrepreneurs, to make use of government schemes available under agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, sheep husbandry and allied sectors, and to avail subsidies, financial assistance and skill development programmes to generate sustainable self-employment opportunities.
The Lead District Manager (LDM) delivered a presentation on banking and financial inclusion schemes, including credit-linked self-employment programmes and agricultural finance available through banks for eligible beneficiaries.
Among those present were the Chief Executive Officer, Poonch Development Authority (PDA); General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC); Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote; Executive Engineers of PMGSY and PWD (R&B); Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO); Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO); District Sheep Husbandry Officer (DSHO); Tehsildar Surankote; District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO); Lead District Manager (LDM); Assistant Director, FCS&CA; Assistant Director, Fisheries; Block Medical Officer (BMO); Assistant Director, Handicrafts/Handloom; District Mineral Officer (DMO); Zonal Education Officer (ZEO); Assistant Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department; Range Officer, Forest Department and other district and sectoral officers concerned.