Back to Village IV : Programs held across 77 Panchayats on day 1; Record public participation witnessed

Budgam : On first day of the ambitious ‘Back to Village’ phase IV (B2V4) programme, 77 panchayat halqas wore festive look with multitude of activities including Gram Sabhas and public grievances redressal camps witnessing overwhelming public participation in Budgam.

Locals enthusiastically participated in these events and conveyed their views and feedback regarding the work done by various departments in their respective areas.The visiting officers chaired Gram Sabhas, Bal Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas and discussed in detail plans for the next year with all the stakeholders.

They also inspected the stalls set up by various departments to display their products and generate awareness about their welfare schemes among the general public.The visiting officers listened to issues and concerns raised by the locals besides reviewing implementation of welfare schemes and progress on ongoing developmental works.

During the programme, pledge against drugs under Nasha Mukt Bharat was taken at all Panchayats.The visiting officers distributed land passbooks, sanction letters for establishment of units, sports equipments, recreational material, baby kits and other appreciation letters among the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, students from different nearby schools presented various cultural programmes and skits regarding awareness on drug menace.Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta, visited Panchayat halqa Ichgam and chaired Maha Gram Sabha at High School Ichgam.

Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, S F Hamid, SSP Budgam, Tahir Saleem, ADDC, ADC and all district officers attended the Maha Gram Sabha, where chairman BDC, Sarpanch and others raised their demands with the Principal Secretary.

Speaking on the occasion, Dheeraj Gupta highlighted the importance of conducting B2V programme to see development on ground with transformative improvement in work culture. He said the programme should be observed as a festival of democracy and festival of administration.

“Back to Village is a historic initiative with a lot of potential for bridging communication gap between the administration and the common masses. Administration arrives at the doorsteps of the common people to understand their grievances and address them on the spot.

This approach builds trust among the common people”, he asserted.Regarding facilitating better sports infrastructure, he asked the concerned to start work on development of stadium in the area at the earliest.

Dheeraj Kumar urged upon the PRIs to ensure 100 percent clearance of outstanding power tariff in their areas besides raising awareness on one time PDD amnesty scheme among the local population. He said that the government is committed to provide 24× 7 electricity to the consumers and appealed locals to support metering installation in all villages.

Among other officers, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Dr. Mohit Gera and Secretary in Agriculture Department, Shabnam Kamilli also visited Budgam and chaired Maha Gram Sabhas at Panchayat Halqa Choon and Panchayat Halqa Shankarpora in Budgam.

During the B2V4 programmes, local PRIs pledged to ensure proper sanitation in rural areas, proper disposal of garbage, use of separate dustbins and complete ban on use of plastic and polythene items in their areas.