Calls for effective grassroots planning, inclusive development
ANANTNAG: To address the concerns and grievances of the local community and ensure efficient public service delivery, the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiud Din Bhat today convened a Public Durbar and grievance redressal camp, at Dandipora, Larnoo.
The program was attended by ADC, GM DIC, CPO, ACD, CAO, CEO, CAHO, DD Fisheries, ARTO, DMO, AD FCS&CA, BMO, Tehsildar and BDO Larnoo, CDPO, Exen PDD, AEEs of PHE, PMGSY and R&B, TSWO, LDM, officials from various other departments besides representatives from SHGs and civil society and ex PRI members and the general public.
During the program, the DDC gave a patient hearing to the residents who raised issues pertaining to road connectivity, healthcare services, banking facilities, school infrastructure, beautification and tourism promotion, land compensation, Ration Cards, electricity bills, among others.
The demands included completion of NH-44 stretch and widening of bridge at Vailoo, provision of sumo stand at Vailoo, pending land compensation for Lessu-Raen, roads, disbursal on MGNREGA material component, clearance of previous liabilities of works, HoIs for HSSs, telecom towers at Halan and Sinthan Top, construction of Gadvail-Dandipora and Khreti bridges, developing waste segregation sheds, ATMs for Dandipora and Bidhard, Ek Lavya Model School, adequate number of passenger sheds, inclusion of eligible families in PHH & AAY categories, building civil libraries and reading rooms, development of playfields and sports infrastructure and banking facilities at Guridraman.
SHG representatives asked for effective coordination with departments like Animal Husbandary, Fisheries and Rural Development, swift loan disbursal through banks and execution of certain public works through them.
The DDC issued on spot directions to revenue authorities to identify suitable land for sumo stand, in consultation with the stakeholders. He further asked the RDD authorities to conduct field survey for identification of suitable land for waste segregation sheds and civil libraries in Panchayats. ACD was directed to submit detailed report on Gadvail Vailoo bridge so that the issue is resolved in a time bound manner.
Responding to the issues raised by SHG members, the DDC said that it is heartwarming to know about the financial achievements made by women and asked the banks to sort out the issues on credit disbursal on priority.
CEO was directed to expedite the formalities on Ek Lavya Model School for which the land has already been identified. LDM was asked to explore the possibilities of providing ATM services at Dandipora and Bidhard and properly follow up the anticipated approval for banking services at Guridraman. Further, R&B, PMGSY and Revenue authorities were instructed to process the pending compensation claims under rules.
On the occasion, Tehsildar Larnoo informed that the land for telecom towers at Halan and Sinthan Top has been identified while the R&B authorities informed that work on Khreti bridge, damaged during recent floods, will commence soon.
Addressing the gathering, the DDC assured that major issues would be taken up with the suitable authorities and emergent ones shall be resolved by the concerned departments in a time bound manner. For sustainable, inclusive and holistic development, it is imperative that people participate in planning process at the Gram Sabha level especially in education, health, road connectivity, sanitation, cleanliness and other important matters, he remarked. He further instructed the RDD department to ensure proper conduct of Gram Sabhas so that all villagers participate in grassroot governance and realistic plans are projected.
Terming public welfare paramount responsibility of district administration, the DDC enjoined upon the officers to visit the Panchayats and villages frequently and get valuable feedback from the people so that the beneficiary oriented schemes and development initiatives are implemented effectively. He noted that people possess remarkable abilities to be the forces of change through community participation (Jan Bagidari) and departments should act as facilitators to ensure public led development.
Dr. Bilal also called for active involvement of women in planning adding they have great abilities to be the drivers and leaders of inclusive and holistic development, transcending generations.
Regarding playfields, the DDC said these facilities will be developed at Panchayats and the existing sports infrastructure will also be upgraded across the district.
Advising youth to avail benefits of self employment and livelihood generation schemes, the DDC asked the concerned departments to create proper awareness of the flagship initiatives like Mission YUVA, HADP, Spurring Entrepreneurship, PMEGP etc. and conduct awareness-cum- registration camps in far flung areas of the district for their facilitatitation and enrollment. He further asked the people to engage with the administration on fight against drug abuse so that this menace is eliminated from the society. There is need for early identification of substance abuse victims, their treatment and rehabilitation through self employment opportunities while avoiding their stigmatisation, he observed.
Calling cleanliness a necessary civic virtue, the DDC said the villagers should contribute towards cleanliness of the hamlets so that visible changes on sanitation are made and aesthetic quotient of the rural areas is enhanced.
Local public and civil society members hailed the initiative hoping such programs will continue for their overall welfare and community development.