Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar along with Chief Secretary, BVR Subarahmanyam today visited Pulwama to take stock of the developmental and security scenario in the district. They also interacted with scores of public delegations to have a firsthand account of issues and grievances being faced by them.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Inspector General of Police, S.P Pani also accompanied the dignitaries. On the occasion, District Development Commissioner, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah briefed the Advisor and Chief Secretary about the Governance and public delivery system, besides status of ongoing development projects, implementation of welfare schemes, scenario of Health, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, R&B, PMGSY, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Rural Development Department, Social Welfare, Sports etc.The DDC informed the meeting regarding the availability of essential supplies, including winter stocking of ration, establishment of internet kiosks and facilitation centre for students, businessmen wherein government departments are availing services of internet facilities for carrying out day to day business regarding BEAMS and MGNREGA etc. It was intimated that a facilitation centre has been setup for the fruit growers under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).It was given out that the district has shown exemplary progress under Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme wherein more than 52000 beneficiaries have been registered. Under Back to Village programme, 133 works have been identified and most of these works are under various stages of completion, said the DDC.In order to promote the poultry estate in Pulwama, DDC said 1950 kanals of land have been identified. The establishment of the poultry estate in Pulwama is aimed at make the district self-reliant and the move will generate more than 15000 sustainable jobs for the youth in the district. Regarding Block Development Council Election, the meeting was briefed about the pre-poll, and post poll preparations like publication of draft electoral roll, assured minimum facilities at polling booths, physical verification of polling stations, appointment of ROs, AROs and issuance of notification.
Later, 23 delegations interacted with the Advisor and Chief Secretary and projected issues like upgradation of civic amenities, health, education, road connectivity, drinking water, power supply and adequate staff in schools and hospitals.The delegation of Fruit Growers demanded the enhancement of rates under MIS and establishment of Cold storage facility. The President Industrial Area Lassipora demanded the extension of amnesty period in pending electricity dues, relaxation in easing of distress accounts of businessmen and transporters.The delegation of Bat manufacturers demanded ban on export of raw material from the valley, incentivization of Bat manufacturing units and provision of soft loans. Similarly, a delegation of Industrial Union Khrew demanded a government based contingency plan for transporters.Dairy farmers’ delegation highlighted the issues faced by them at Lakhanpur and on the highway during the import of bovine from outside J&K. They also demanded establishment of poultry health units, enhancement in milk pricing, specific registration for importing of bovines and subsidy on fodder cultivation.A delegation from civil society Awantipora demanded the speedy completion of AIIMS project, development of stadium, functioning of water filtration plant and resolution of approach road issue to AIIMS.A delegation from Pampore demanded establishment of blood bank and dialysis centre at SDH and conservation of Chatlum-Kranchu wet land in Pampore .The Delegations from Deeri, Kakapora ,Khrew, Charsoo Gangoo and Chandhara demanded construction of bridge at nallah Romshi, expansion of road connectivity, Sabzi Mandi, establishment of Degree College, upgradation of schools, construction of playgrounds, adequate staff in NTPHC (Charsoo ),Relaxation in toll tax, improvement in electricity, fixation of rice rates(Kashmiri), revival of borewells , macadamization of roads, upgradaton of Health centers, removal of encroachments in their respective areas.
Similarly, a delegation of Panches and Sarpanches interacted with the Advisor and the Chief Secretary and briefed them about the block development council polls and other issues pertaining to panchayats.Representatives from Gujjar and Bakerwal community demanded construction of Gujjar and Bakerwal hostel and schools for tribal students. Both the Advisor and Chief Secretary gave a patient hearing to the deputations and assured that their all genuine demands will be examined on priority and addressed on merit. They also passed on-the-spot directions to the district administration for redressing of various grievances and directed for maintaining close liaison with the local population so that their grievances are redressed at the earliest.The Advisor while praising the efforts of district administration for outstanding public outreach programmes said that the Pulwama should be synonymous with development and good governance. He impressed upon the officers to remain connected with people and inculcate team spirit and cohesiveness in public delivery system .The Chief Secretary commended the district administration’s relentless efforts in excelling in milk production, cement production, saffron cultivation, grading and storage of apples. He reiterated his commitment to establish a medical city in Pulwama for flourishing health tourism in J&K. He also assured for the establishment of a robust poultry state for the tremendous potential of employment generation.Earlier, the Advisor and the Chief Secretary chaired a separate meeting with the officers to review the law and order situation in the district, which was attended by SSP Pulwama, Chandan Kohli, SSP Awantipora Tahir Saleem and other concerned officers.