Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal today chaired a Block Diwas programme at Panchayat Ghar Kari Ghuraka, Panchayat Kari Chatra, Block Bhalla, providing a platform for direct interaction between the administration and the public. The programme saw active participation from PRI representatives, prominent citizens, women, youth and officials from various departments.
During the programme, the public raised several demands and grievances pertaining to basic infrastructure and public services. Key issues included drinking water scarcity, damaged electricity poles in Kari and surrounding areas, construction of the Chatra–Kari road, completion of the Drana–Ghuraka road, pending work on the Cheka–Ghuraka road, shortage of teachers in Government High School Chatra, Higher Secondary School Ghuraka, UPS Charota and Middle School Kari, absence of a Headmaster at Government High School Chatra, fencing of schools to protect them from stray animals, repair of school washrooms and sanitation facilities, MGNREGA-related issues, water supply problems in Santhapani Ghuraka and Sengoi Panchayat, shortage of healthcare staff including a Staff Nurse at Health Centre Ghuraka and the need for awareness camps on government welfare schemes.
The public also demanded the establishment of a J&K Bank branch in the area and sought regular outreach by the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Social Welfare Departments to educate people about welfare and subsidy schemes.
Taking serious note of the issues, the Deputy Commissioner issued on-the-spot directions to the departments concerned. He directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to expedite all ongoing road projects and take strict action against non-performing contractors, instructing that contractors who have abandoned works be blacklisted, their contracts terminated and such contractors barred from future government works.
The Jal Shakti Department was directed to immediately repair the damaged Santhapani water pipeline and ensure timely completion of all ongoing water supply projects, with priority resolution of water supply issues in affected villages.
The Education Department was directed to address the shortage of teachers, repair school washrooms and kitchens and improve educational infrastructure. The Deputy Commissioner also emphasised the adoption of online teaching methods to address academic challenges in remote areas. The Assistant Commissioner (Development) was directed to address issues related to school fencing and playground facilities, particularly at UPS Charota.
The Power Development Department (PDD) was instructed to survey damaged electricity poles in Kari Chatra and adjoining areas, submit a detailed report and undertake immediate repair and replacement works.
The Social Welfare Department was directed to organise awareness camps on welfare schemes and identify all eligible beneficiaries for pension schemes to ensure that benefits reach deserving citizens.
The Agriculture Department was instructed to conduct regular awareness programmes on government-sponsored schemes. The Animal Husbandry Department was directed to educate farmers about subsidy and livestock development schemes and prepare a schedule for regular panchayat visits. The Sheep Husbandry Department was directed to ensure roster-based availability of officials and conduct field visits at least twice a week to provide services and guidance to livestock rearers.
The Chief Medical Officer was directed to organise regular health and awareness camps, ensure roster-based deployment of doctors, address the shortage of healthcare staff including the requirement of a Staff Nurse at Ghuraka and prepare a schedule for mobile medical units to extend healthcare services to remote areas. The Health Department was also directed to undertake health screening drives and strengthen efforts under the TB Mukt Bharat Campaign.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the public to register grievances on the JK Samadhan Portal for prompt and transparent redressal. He also sensitised the gathering about the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan and called upon people to actively support the campaign by spreading awareness against drug abuse and encouraging affected individuals to seek rehabilitation and counselling services.
The Deputy Commissioner later inspected Government Higher Secondary School Ghuraka, where he reviewed educational infrastructure, availability of teaching staff, sanitation facilities and other basic amenities, directing officers concerned to address deficiencies on priority and ensure a conducive learning environment for students.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to responsive governance and assured the public that all genuine issues raised during the programme would be addressed in a time-bound manner.
Among those present were ADC Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, PO ICDS Doda Akhtar Hussain Qazi, CPO Doda Manesh Kumar Manhas, district officers, public representatives, PRI members, former Sarpanches and a large gathering of local residents.