Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa today conducted an extensive tour of the remote Block Kulwanta in Sub-Division Ramnagar and held a Public Outreach Programme to listen to the grievances and developmental aspirations of the people. The programme was attended by SDM Ramnagar Swati Sheemar, IAS Probationer Dr. Shagun Singh, district officers, former PRI members and a large number of locals from various adjoining panchayats of Block Kulwanta.
During the interaction, Former PRI members and the general public projected several demands and issues, including shortage of staff in government schools, inclusion of RC Peak on the tourism map, land compensation, scarcity of drinking water, weak mobile connectivity, provision of bus service for students, pending payments for Panchayat Ghars, repair of dilapidated roads, completion of Panchayat Ghar buildings, non-functional Anganwadi Centres and construction of check dams.
While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner said that the primary objective of such outreach programmes is to obtain firsthand feedback on grassroots issues and strengthen the public service delivery mechanism. He said these interactions help the district administration understand the genuine concerns of the people and ensure responsive, transparent and people-centric governance.
The DC also sensitized the participants about various flagship government schemes, including HADP, JKCIP, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and Mission YUVA, urging them to avail themselves of the benefits offered under these initiatives. Several grievances were resolved on the spot through the intervention of the concerned departments.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the officers to work with dedication and ensure that genuine public demands are addressed in a time-bound manner. He patiently heard all the grievances and assured the people that every genuine issue would receive due consideration.
On the occasion, the DC also distributed Kisan Credit Cards among eligible beneficiaries. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner visited the Post Entry Quarantine Centre at Marta Ramnagar. Chief Horticulture Officer Udhampur Brij Vallabh Gupta briefed him about the ongoing construction works and nursery operations at the centre.
He informed that the project will play a vital role in supplying quality apple clonal rootstocks and high-density apple plants across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, thereby promoting high-density apple cultivation. The DC inspected the newly constructed screen houses and reviewed the ongoing works being executed under NABARD and HADP. He appreciated the water conservation measures undertaken through poly-lined water harvesting tanks, check dams and geo tanks, which will ensure water availability during critical periods.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner inspected departmental stalls established by various departments and planted a tree.