Block Diwas held at Gai Dessa

• Residents highlight key issues; DC directs officers to expedite dev works

DODA: To redress public grievances and strengthen grassroots governance, a public outreach and grievances redressal programme (Block Diwas) was today held here at village Gai Dessa.  The Block Diwas was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal. He listened to the grievances and developmental demands of the residents, directing the concerned departments to take prompt action to address the same.

The residents raised concerns regarding the shortage of lecturers and MTS staff at the local Government Higher Secondary School. They also demanded upgradation of GHS Bhatta to Higher Secondary level. Further, the residents demanded improvement in healthcare facilities, posting of doctors and pharmacists at NTPC and other health institutions in the area. The demand for introducing ambulance services was prominently raised by the locals.

The locals also demanded immediate measures to improve water and electricity supply and road connectivity, particularly upgrading of Gai Dessa–Bhatta road. The demands for resolving land compensation matters, filling of potholes, construction of retaining walls and road connectivity to unconnected Panchayats were extensively discussed. Residents urged the PMGSY and R&B Departments to expedite the pending works.

Further, the locals demanded beautification of ponds and playgrounds, timely release of developmental funds and clearance of pending payments related to ongoing works of the Rural Development Department. The public also demanded the development of a Tourist Village Network to tap the tourism potential in the region. Responding to the grievances, the XEN PMGSY informed that the Gai Dessa–Mangal Thatha road project is nearing completion with 90 percent work already complete. He informed that the remaining work would be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Officials from the PHE Department stated that around 70 to 80 percent ongoing water supply works in the area have been completed. The Rural Development Department assured that all ongoing developmental works would be completed in a timely manner. It was also informed that the Gobar-Dhan Project would be initiated in the area after allotment of land.

The CMO assured the public that ambulance services would be made available in the area soon. The concerned officer further informed that cultivation of Kala Zeera has been undertaken over 20 kanal land in the region to promote its cultivation in the region.

Responding to the public demands, the DC directed the Tehsildar Bhagwah to deploy Naib Tehsildar during public awareness camps to facilitate people in availing the benefits of the government schemes requiring revenue-related documentation.

He assured the public that the administration would look into the shortage of doctors, lecturers and other staff in schools and health institutions. He further directed the concerned departments to expedite road connectivity projects and ensure their timely completion.

The DC also advised the people to register grievances on the JK Samadhan Portal for speedy disposal of issues. Highlighting health initiatives, he said that the district administration is aiming to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) from the district by the end of 2026 and informed that a proposal for a portable X-Ray machine has also been submitted.

Emphasizing social awareness, the DC stressed the importance of “Nasha Mukht” campaigns to eradicate the menace of drug abuse from society and called for collective participation of all stakeholders.

Later, the DC inspected the local Government Higher Secondary School Gai, Govt. Girls Upper Primary School and Government Primary School Gujjar Basti Manjmi. He assessed the functioning of the institutions and interacted with students. The ongoing construction work at NTPC was also reviewed during the visit. The programme was attended by PO ICDS, CPO, ACD, ACP, CMO, XEN PMGSY and other concerned district officers.