DODA: In continuation to the public outreach programme under the Block Diwas, district administration Doda today organised public grievances redress camps at Panchayat Sanwara of Sub Division Gandoh; Halaran of Tehsil Kahara, Sub Division, Thathri; BDO Office Assar of Sub Division Assar; BDO office Bhadarwah of Sub District Bhaderwah and Panchayat Upper Behota, of Tehsil Marmat.

Apart from redressal of grievances, the officers also visited Government Schools during the Pathshala Hour and interacted with students.

The visiting officers made the students aware about individual and community welfare schemes, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Swachh Gaon Sundar Gaon and the Online services launched by UT administration for the welfare of the general public.

District Development Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan listened to public grievances at Panchayat Upper Behota of Marmat Block.

En-route, he visited Government Higher Secondary School Behota and High School Mangota and interacted with students and the staff. Responding to the issue of shortage of staff in the two schools projected by the locals, the DC assured them that the Education Department was working on rationalization of the teaching staff and the problem would be addressed soon. He encouraged the local educated youth to teach voluntarily in the nearby schools, in consultation and permission of the Education Department to contribute their bit in the nation building.

Addressing the locals at Upper Behota, he informed that the district administration has decided to promote eco- tourism in the potential areas to create livelihood opportunities for the locals. He asked the Forest department to come up with a viable plan to boost eco tourism in the area without disturbing the ecology. He further directed the concerned to take measures to improve road infrastructure for the convenience of the commuters and attract the tourists to this unexplored area full of natural beauty.

He directed the Area Marketing Officer and officers of Agriculture, and its allied sectors to interact with farmers and create mass awareness on Agro industries, and motivate them to adopt scientific ways of farming to get better yield and revenue.

He also directed the concerned to work out the modalities for export of the local Agro products as the area was rich in organic produce and can fetch better income to the farmers.

He also distributed loan sanction letters under self employment schemes sponsored by the Sheep Husbandry Department and KCC cases of the Animal husbandry department.

DC was accompanied by DDC Councillor Marmat, SSP, ACD, SE PWD, SE PMGSY, SE Hydraulics, CMO=, CEO, CAO, DSHO, CAHO and other district and sectoral officers.

At other designated locations, teams of officers listened to demands put forth by the public and PRIs. They demanded augmentation of water supply and electricity, macadamization of roads, meeting dearth of staff in schools and hospitals, upgradation of schools, banking facilities in rural areas, release of pending wages under MGNREGA etc.

The Presiding officers of the Block Diwas gave a patient hearing to the issues and demands and directed the concerned officers to prepare a list of issues/grievances raised pertaining to their departments and resolve the same at an earliest.

As many as 67 grievances/ applications were received during the day-long proceedings, of which 63 were disposed of on the spot. Besides, Domicile certificates, Category certificates, birth/ death certificates, Land Pass books and other revenue extracts were issued to the eligible beneficiaries in the Block Diwas program at designated locations today.