Planning at Panchayat level should reflect people’s aspirations: DC Pulwama

Pulwama, Dec 31: Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom Wednesday presided over a Mega Block Diwas at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Kakapora, aimed at on-the-spot grievance redressal and awareness, registration and saturation under various social security and financial inclusion schemes.
The outreach camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth, senior citizens and local residents, including members of the Trade Association, Kakapora Development Forum, Sanitation Committee and civil society. Several developmental and public welfare related issues were raised during the interaction.
The issues highlighted by the public pertained mainly to transport connectivity, healthcare services, road construction and upgradation, water supply, flood-related damages and other civic amenities. Key demands included completion of SDH Kakapora, availability of essential medicines, posting of USG and X-ray technicians at PHC Kakapora, construction of an additional storey for the Higher Secondary School building, sanctioning of an additional overhead water tank, removal of encroachments along Jhelum, Romshi and Lathi Kol, repair of roads and bunds damaged during recent floods, and mitigation of waterlogging problems.
The Deputy Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the grievances and sought on-the-spot responses from the concerned officers. He directed the Chief Medical Officer, Pulwama to visit PHC Kakapora to assess the situation and address the healthcare-related concerns.
Regarding the demand for an additional overhead tank, the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti informed that the proposal has already been included in the plan and work will commence immediately after approval.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Basharat Qayoom appreciated the large public participation and said that seeking accountability through such forums strengthens democratic governance. He directed officers to carefully note all grievances for time-bound redressal and stated that a follow-up meeting would be held with concerned departments and local representatives to review progress on the issues raised.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed that Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) must truly reflect the aspirations of the people, underscoring the importance of decentralised planning. He directed officers to ensure their presence in Gram Sabhas for effective participatory planning.
He also highlighted various pension and social security schemes, including PM-SYM, PM-KMY, PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY and Atal Pension Yojana, and urged eligible beneficiaries to enrol in these schemes.
Furthermore, the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti was directed to increase the frequency of water tanker supply, especially during the winter season, while the Chief Agriculture Officer was asked to devise an action plan to ensure saturation of crop insurance schemes like PMFBY in Kakapora zone, which is prone to flooding.
Earlier, officers from departments including Agriculture, ICDS and Labour briefed the gathering on government schemes and initiatives. A CSC counter was established at the venue to facilitate on-the-spot registration under various pension and social security schemes.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner also distributed sanction letters and assets under different schemes, including tractors under HADP, motorised vending carts, commercial vermicompost units and other entitlements to beneficiaries.
Among others, the programme was attended by Chief Planning Officer Pulwama Aashiq Hussain Khanday; Executive Engineers of R&B and JalShakti, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Pulwama, Chief Education Officer, Pulwama; Chief Medical Officer, Pulwama; Chief Agriculture Officer, Pulwama; District Social Welfare Officer, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Pulwama; Block Development Officer and Tehsildar Kakapora, DMO Pulwama besides officers from various line departments.