The government’s ‘Back to Village’ initiative that ended Thursday officials met residents in villages and towns to get a first-hand assessment of ongoing development projects and needs from, arousing a new hope among the people.
The initiative began on June 20 across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the past week, government officials visited 385panchayats in Kupwara district to assess the ongoing developmental works andencouraged villagers to highlight their issues and difficulties.
Residents of Tangdhar near the Line of Control told GreaterKashmir that it was for the first time ever that any high government officialvisited the remote area to look at their grievances and demands.
“It is a dream come true that the government has reached atthe door steps of the people. Now we have given the list of our miseries. Letus see if this initiative yields anything for us or not. Said Shabir Ahmad, aresident.
“At least we expect the tunnel for Sadhna Top,” Ahmad added,referring to the mountaintop that remains snowbound for nearly six monthscutting the residents of Tangdhar off from the rest of the world.
Similarly, residents of Drugmulla in the border districtalso appeared happy for the opportunity of sharing their experience living inthe backward area.
“We have provided the list the development needs in our areaincluding a playfield, proper road, 24-hour drinking water facility andelectricity, completion of bridge awaiting pending since a decade, restart ofmarble factory, upgradation of girls high school Drugmulla to girls highersecondary, besides many other works,” said Rizwan Ahmad of Drugmulla.
“If these grievances will be redressed in time then thesekinds of programmes (Back to Village) should continue in the future.”
Officials noted the feedback offered by the people regardingvarious issues related to PDD, PHE, R&B and healthcare.
“We have noted the grievances in the given prescribed formatand submitted to the higher authorities,” said Dr. Alyas Ahmad Sub-DivisionalMagistrate of Karnah.
“The aim is to bridge the gap between the achievableand achieved goals in development, take governance to doorsteps of the ruraland inaccessible areas.”
In Kupwara district, the ‘Back to Village’ programme wascarried out under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara AnshulGarg.
During the programme officers also inaugurated manydevelopment works including culverts, playfields, Pachayat Ghars and a Hilipadfor civilian use in Tangdhar.