STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: District Administration Kathua, organised a series of public meetings in border villages along international border for formulation of development plans with public participation and redressal of public grievances apart from ensuring security and safety in wake of ceasefire violation. Administration is working on development of 22 villages falling along zero line.
District Development Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary accompanied by Project Officer ICDS, Asstt Commissioner Development, SDM Hiranagar, Chief Medical Officer, XEn PHE, XEn PWD, XEn PDD, XEn Mechanical, XEn REW, DSHO, CEO, Tehsildar Hiranagar and Commandant Jitendra Kumar of BSF held camps at Maniari, Bobian, Londi and other villages to hear public grievances and also seek cooperation of public for development of model villages.
Border Area Development Plan works were discussed with public consultation and plan formulated for providing electricity, water supply and village roads in current year annual plan of BADP. The DDC instructed the officers for involvement of public in identifying developmental works in border villages. Rs 50 lakh is being provided by priority demands.
The DDC informed that five villages along zero line will be developed as model villages through inter-departmental convergence in current year for providing civic amenities like power supply, water supply, biogas, education, medical facilities, insurance, bank accounts, safe housing, sanitation, telecommunication, solar lights, nutrition, and other facilities making the village self sufficient. This initiative is being taken as a part of “Mission Hifazat” launched by district administration for safety, security and development of border areas. He informed that work has already been started for construction of compound walls for border schools and dispensaries, creation of power and water supply lines.
Interdepartmental teams in consultation with village committees and Panchayats will prioritise 22 villages under supervision of SDM Hiranagar and these villages will be developed as Model Villages with public participation which is first of its kind initiative taken by administration through convergence and pooling of community resources.