GANDERBAL, MAY 13: In continuation of the public outreach initiatives aimed at strengthening public service delivery and addressing grassroots concerns, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore today chaired a public outreach programme at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Khalmulla for Block Ganderbal.

Among others, Additional District Development Commissioner, Manzoor Ahmad; General Manager DIC Ganderbal, Additional Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Assistant Commissioner Development and other officers of line departments attended the event, which also witnessed enthusiastic participation from ex.PRI members, civil society representatives, senior citizens and youth from Khalmulla, Bakura, Shuhama, Darend, Nagbal, Warpoh, Gutlibagh, Busserbug and adjoining areas.

On the occasion, people projected a range of developmental and public welfare issues before the district administration including establishing fire service infrastructure locally, completion of work on sports fields, installation of street lights, completion of drainage systems, uninterrupted power supply, restoration of Rangil spring, and proper garbage collection mechanism, besides improvement of the road from Khalmulla to Baba Daryadin, and conducting regular Gram Sabha meetings.

Residents sought timely interventions from Horticulture department to mitigate disease in orchards, and awareness drives. They further demanded walling and fencing of PHC, and widening of the bridge at Nagbal, repair of leakage in the PDC canal, and completion of pending infrastructure works.

Officials from the concerned departments actively engaged with the public, addressing a number of grievances on the spot while also briefing the participants about the initiatives already underway and the measures planned for effective redressal of their issues.

Responding to the issues projected by the public, the DC assured them that genuine concerns would be addressed in a phased and time-bound manner. He directed the concerned departments to expedite pending developmental works and ensure better coordination at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the critical initiative of ‘Nasha Mukt’ Abhiyan, the DC said the success of this campaign relies heavily on public partnership. He called for active community support.

Earlier, Clinical Psychologist from District Hospital Ganderbal, Dr. Afshan, also spoke during the programme and raised awareness regarding the harmful effects of drug addiction. She highlighted various successful counselling and rehabilitation interventions and stressed that the youth represent the “cream of society” and need collective protection from substance abuse.

Later, the DC took a comprehensive round of the school premises and inspected the Astro-Physics Lab and Science Laboratory to assess the facilities and academic infrastructure available to students.