Budgam, September 3: A Mega Block Diwas was today organised at Khag, a remote and relatively underdeveloped area of Budgam district, providing local residents an opportunity to directly project their grievances, demands and developmental requirements before the district administration.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, IAS, along with senior officers from various departments, participated in the programme and listened to the issues and demands projected by public representatives and residents from different Gram Panchayats of Khag and adjoining areas.
The public raised a number of issues related to construction and maintenance of roads, drinking water supply, electricity, healthcare, education, irrigation, sanitation, functioning of government offices, rural development and other basic amenities.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner said that he had visited the area around two weeks ago as well, during which several issues, particularly concerning the local hospital, were brought to his notice. He said that the Mega Block Diwas was organised at the Tehsil headquarters of Khag to provide people an opportunity to raise their concerns in their own area and interact directly with officers of the concerned departments.
He said that several drinking water schemes have been established in the area, although some of them are yet to become fully functional. The public also highlighted issues concerning roads, departmental offices, additional charges, vacant posts in schools and irrigation facilities.
The Deputy Commissioner said that all issues projected by the public have been formally recorded and directions have been issued on the spot to the concerned officers for their immediate and priority-based redressal, wherever the matters can be addressed within the available resources.
He further said that issues requiring substantial financial resources would be considered for inclusion, as required, under district development plans or UT-level development plans. Necessary planning, estimates and other related documentation for such projects would also be initiated.
Special Focus on Improvement of Sports Facilities
During the Mega Block Diwas, the youth prominently raised the demand for improvement of playgrounds and sports facilities in the area.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration is committed to strengthening sports infrastructure and improving sports facilities across the district. In this regard, the concerned Sub-Divisional Officer and Tehsildar were directed to initiate necessary action immediately.
He said that efforts would be made to complete certain developmental works by pooling resources of different departments. Possibilities of improving sports facilities in Khag under various Central Government programmes aimed at promotion of sports would also be explored.
He further said that every possible effort would be made to provide quality sports facilities at the Gram Panchayat level so that children and youth get better opportunities to participate in sports and develop their skills.
The Deputy Commissioner said that Khag is a remote and relatively underdeveloped area of the district and the administration would make sincere efforts to address the issues raised by the public in a positive manner and within the stipulated timelines.
He said that the district administration would continue its efforts, with the support of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the Hon’ble Chief Minister, towards redressal of public grievances, improvement of basic amenities and ensuring that the benefits of development reach people living in remote areas.
The Mega Block Diwas was attended by Chief Planning Officer Javed Ahmad, SDM Beerwah Taufiq Ahmad Ghazi, Nigrani Engineer Aram Lone, Executive Engineers of various departments, Tehsildar Khag, Assistant Commissioner Development Budgam, besides officers from different departments, field functionaries and representatives of various government agencies.
During the programme, the officers recorded the demands and grievances projected by the public in detail and assured that necessary action would be taken in accordance with the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, with follow-up to ensure progress.
The Mega Block Diwas reflected the district administration’s commitment to strengthening grassroots-level public engagement, improving delivery of government services and ensuring effective and timely redressal of public grievances.
