In a remarkable display of public engagement, the District Administration Samba today orchestrated the Block Diwas proceedings at Panchayat Salmah, Block Sumb. The event was graced by the presence of Abhishek Sharma, the Deputy Commissioner, who led a team of district officers in attentively listening to and resolving the concerns voiced by the community.
The programme garnered an overwhelming response from individuals representing diverse backgrounds. They earnestly expressed their issues, encompassing fundamental necessities such as provision of electricity, potable water, healthcare, education, and road connectivity. Furthermore, matters pertaining to drinking water supply in schools, preservation of old-age pension schemes, and enhancement of healthcare centers were also brought to the forefront. The Public Representatives Institutions (PRIs) passionately advocated for various public concerns, including the urgent need for road connectivity between Samba and Bain Babeti, installation of power distribution transformers, augmentation of drinking water facilities in Salmah, and repair of damaged hand pumps in Penthi, Salmah, and Sumb of Block Sumb.
In the presence of Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma, the Jal Shakti Department showcased the simplest and swiftest technique for determining chlorine levels in drinking water. They also distributed testing kits to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Samba. This endeavor aimed to ensure the safety and purity of drinking water for the community.
During interactions with the Chairperson of the Block Development Council, Sarpanchs, Panchs, and the general public, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that Block Diwas is a widespread initiative organized throughout the length and breadth of the district. Its primary objective is to foster a more transparent, accountable, and people-centric administration. He further acknowledged that this government undertaking plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance.
The Vice Chairman of the District Development Council, Balwan Singh, expressed his views on the occasion. He highlighted the significance of the Block Diwas events, which take place at designated locations, where various departmental teams collaborate with frontline field workers to deliver diverse services to the public and attentively address their grievances.
The District Development Commissioner, while providing a patient ear to the numerous demands raised by the community and their representatives, promptly resolved some issues on the spot. Others were forwarded to the respective departments, accompanied by firm instructions to address them by the next Block Diwas.
Addressing the gathering, the distinguished DC Samba elucidated that the Block Diwas initiative endeavors to establish direct contact with the people, attentively listen to their grievances, and effectively resolve them in a coordinated and efficient manner. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing these grievances and ensuring their redressal within specified timelines.
Moreover, the DC Samba underscored the Smartpur program, a rural entrepreneurship-based model designed to establish model smart villages. This one-year pilot project, driven by the Digital Empowerment Foundation with support from Nokia, operates on a hub-and-spoke model.
The DC Samba urged the PRIs to engage all stakeholders while formulating the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), for which the district administration has issued a comprehensive calendar. Furthermore, the DC directed the concerned Block Development Officers (BDOs) to ensure the inclusive participation of every individual in the planning process of GPDP. The DC emphasized the importance of completing all projects within the designated timelines.
Prominent attendees at the event included Ramesh Singh, Chairman of the Block Development Council; Rajinder Singh, Additional District Development Commissioner of Samba; Vidhi Bhutyal, Chief Medical Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Chief Education Officer, Executive Engineers, officers from Agriculture, Sericulture, Husbandry, Fisheries, Tehsildars, Block Development Officers (BDOs), members of the PRIs and district and sectoral officers.
