Terms Public Participation in Decision Making Vital for Achieving the Goal of Progress, Development

Baramulla, October 03 (KNS): Reiterating the administration’s commitment of empowering youth for peaceful and prosperous society, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Baseer Ahmad Khan today observed that youth has a pivotal role to play in achieving the objective of socio-economic development. He said that present dispensation under the able leadership of Lieutenant Governor is keen towards resolving the issues that our youth are largely facing.

Advisor was speaking at a mega function organized in village Seerjagir of Sopore area in connection with the 3rd phase of ambitious 'Back to Village' programme.

Highlighting the objectives of B2V, the advisor said that such an initiative provides an appropriate platform to evaluate government schemes and programmes besides urging various stakeholders to come forward in this regard. He maintained that bridging gaps between people and administration has been our top most priority adding that various reach out programmes are being conducted in order to take governance at the peoples door-steps.

“For ensuring the efficient and smooth public service delivery, administration is taking some serious measures which aims to deliver prompt public services at the peoples doorsteps”, the Advisor said.

The Advisor maintained that empowering PRIs through financial devolution and proper decentralization has been top most priority of the administration. He also terms public participation in decision making as an essential component to percolate the fruits of development at the grass root level.

Meanwhile, the Advisor inaugurates several developmental projects worth Rs 24.26 lakh in Sangrama block that were completed under 14th FCA, MGNREGA and other flagship programmes.

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo presents the welcome address during which he presented a brief developmental profile of the district besides presenting the achievements recorded in various sectors during the previous phases of B2V. He also highlighted the outcome of the recently concluded Jan Abhiyan campaign and said that an overwhelming response of the public was received for which he expressed gratitude of the people. He also applauded the role of different stakeholders who extended their cooperation in comabting COVID-19 outbreak.

Dr Itoo informed that government has released Rs 10 lakh to every panchayat halqa in which Rs 20,000 has be utilized on purchasing sports items as a move to promote sports culture among our youth. He also appraised some issues that are hampering the path of development and sought the personal intervention of the Advisor in resolving these in a time bound manner.

Earlier, the Advisor inspects the stalls installed by several departments viz Horticulture, Agriculture, education etc displaying their programmes and services. The Advisor distributes several equipments/kits/certificates sponsored by horticulture, agriculture, education, revenue, youth services and sports departments. He also distributes cheques worth Rs 1.25 Cr lakh as financial assistance among 1470 registered labour beneficiaries.

Various deputations which include PRI representatives, civil society members among others highlighted their issues and demands meant for the overall development of the area wherein they sought the Advisor's personal intervention for resolving them in a stipulated timeframe.

The Advisor gave a patient hearing to all the demands and assured that all the genuine demands and grievances shall be fulfilled as early as possible. He announced that steps shall be taken to augment drinking water supply keeping in view the persistent demand of the locals. He also said that a public park shall be established in the village and initiatives shall be taken to develop sports infras in the area.

At the outset of his visit, the Advisor pays obeisance at the local Ziyarat wherein he prayed for peace, progress and prosperity for the society.

Visiting Officer to Seerjagir village Ashiq Hussain lilly, SSP Sopore, heads of various departments, district and sectoral officer besides a huge gathering of people participated in the programme.(KNS)