SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Monday conducted an extensive tour of Budgam to review progress on several key developmental projects being executed in various blocks of the district.
During the tour, the Secretary visited various sites including Panchayat Bhawan cum Common Facilitation Centre (CFC) at Humhama, PRI Residential Quarters at Sheikhpora, Community Service Centers (CSCs), Panchayat Ghars, playground at Sheikhpora, Panchayat Learning Centre Kanihama, and Kanihama Craft Village.
The Secretary visited the PRI Residential Quarters at Sheikhpora and instructed the officers to expedite the pending works to ensure completion of this vital facility. He also reviewed construction of a Community Service Centre, Tile Path and a playground in Sheikhpora, which are part of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing community engagement and connectivity.
While inspecting the Panchayat Ghar at Chewa Narbal, the Secretary urged the Rural Development Department (RDD) officials to ensure that the Panchayat Ghar becomes a central hub for all residents of the area, providing essential services under one roof. He stressed the importance of making the Panchayat Ghar a "one-stop center" for the local population to access government services efficiently.
The Secretary also visited the Panchayat Learning Centre (PLC) in Kanihama and asked the officials to ensure that Panchayat Learning Centers (PLCs) are established to enhance the learning and capacity-building opportunities for elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). He said that these centers aim to facilitate exposure visits to successful panchayats, providing hands-on learning experiences for the representatives.
The Secretary also reviewed the ongoing work at CSC Kanihama, a crucial project designed to bring government services closer to rural residents, ensuring improved accessibility and service delivery.
At Kanihama Craft Village, the Secretary praised the craftsmanship of the local artisans and emphasized the importance of preserving traditional crafts. He acknowledged that direct buyer engagement is critical for maintaining the authenticity of the craft and boosting the local economy.
Speaking to the artisans, the Secretary said, "This craft represents the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, and it is vital that we continue to support and preserve it. We must explore ways to engage more directly with international markets while safeguarding the intellectual property of our artisans, especially in light of the challenges posed by online platforms." He encouraged the community to utilize modern marketing techniques without compromising the originality of their designs and crafts.
The Secretary lauded the efforts of those artisans who have kept the tradition alive, noting that the Craft Village serves not only as a hub for artisans but also as a bridge between them and buyers from across the world.
Aijaz Asad asked the officers to provide continued support to these artisans, especially in terms of infrastructure, workspace and marketing avenues, ensuring that their traditional skills are passed on to future generations.
The Secretary also visited the Panchayat Bhawan cum Common Facilitation Centre (CFC) at Humhama and asked all concerned departments to ensure that the facility becomes operational as soon as possible. He emphasized the importance of making the Bhawan functional at the earliest.
The Secretary was accompanied by Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Additional Secretary, Waseem Raja, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Budgam, Zahid Ahmad and other officials.
