PEERZADA SAYEED

Kupwara, July 25: (KNS) In order to ensure good governance at door steps of the people and to take stock of progress of developmental activities in Keran besides to provide effective grievance redressal platform, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ms. Ayushi Sudan (IAS) chaired the proceedings of Mega Block Diwas at Higher Secondary School ground Keran.

District Officers, Engineers, Sectoral Officers, Tehsil level officers, prominent citizens and a large number of local residents of different villages of Keran attended the public out-reach programme.

The Deputy Commissioner was welcomed in a traditional way at Keran (Zero Line on the banks of famous Kishangangariver) by the enthusiastic girls of the area who showered flower petals on her.
Deputy Commissioner inspected stalls of different departments and was acquainted with the schemes and programmes of various departments being implemented in this area.

At the outset locals thanked District Administration, Beacon and Army authorities for boosting tourism in the scenic Keran tehsil of the district.

The public of Keran expressed gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for her keen intervention in accelerating the development of the area. DC was praised for her proactive approach which was evident from making Keran best and most visited tourist destination of the district,her role in execution of work on dilapidated road from Datt Bridge to Keran, work on Keran Bridge, providing electricity and development of other basic infrastructure in the area.

On occasion, the Public as well as Ex. PRIs from various villages of Keran including Mandyan, Kalus, Patru, Keran Payeen, Keran Bala, Kundyan, Mandow and other habitations primarily raised the demands of Smart classrooms in higher secondary school , science laboratory, fencing for higher secondary school, separate washroom facilities for male and female tourists, street lights, upgradation of NTPHC Keran to SDH and providing of x-ray machine and dental chair facilities,ATM and up gradation of mobile connectivity network in the area.

After giving patient hearing to the public and Ex. PRIs, the Deputy Commissioner assured that all their genuine demands shall be looked into. She further assured people that their genuine demands have reached the concerned authorities and will be resolved on priority.

While chairing the proceedings of Block Diwas, DC said space for parking, street lights, ornamental lights, smart classes, laboratory for higher secondary school Keran has been planned in the budget and these projects will be started during the current financial year.

“To promote tourism in the area, a beautiful river front will be constructed at the main location at Keran for tourists. Mobile network connectivity is being upgraded in Keran, and land for BSNL tower has been identified which shall be soon commissioned ” DC said.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the administration is making every effort so that difficulties of the people of Keran and tourists visiting the area are minimized.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Deputy Commissioner directed all employees to be sincere towards their duties and be responsive to the public.

On the occasion, DC inspected, class rooms and IT Lab of higher Secondary school Keran where she interacted with staff and students. She expressed concern over the defunct IT lab of the institute and directed the concerned Principal to make it fully functional so that computers and other IT infrastructure is not wasted and students can learn the computers .

Expressing displeasure over low enrollment and low attendance of students in schools of Keran, DC appealed to the parents and civil society to play a vital role in ensuring the children of Keran attend schools regularly. She said that Investing in the education of children of border areas like Keran is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic priority for overall development of the area. While cautioning the parents, DC said that failing to educate children can impact every aspect of society and can cause regression rather than progress.“Failing to educate children can have severe long-term consequences for the community or area, which can set back the progress of the area by 50 years” DC said.

DC said that on every Saturday and Sunday on an average 1500 to 2000 tourists visit Keran which is a plus point. Fish farming, Poultry, Sheep and opening guest houses can significantly boost the tourism sector at Keran and by integrating these activities into the tourism sector, the area can create diverse attractions and boost the local economy.

The Deputy Commissioner urged the unemployed youth to come forward and take benefits of HADP and other self employment schemes of the government and establish their own ventures.

She stressed on the concerned officers to take all possible measures to accelerate the pace of all ongoing works for their time-bound completion and directed for regular monitoring of works.

DC inspected the Dak-Bungalow Keran and instructed the concerned engineers to renovate and upgrade it on modern lines.

Block Diwas at Keran had a huge response from local population and PRIs who appreciated the Deputy Commissioner for bringing District administration on their door steps.

Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara was accompanied by ACD /DIO Kupwara, CPO Kupwara,CEO, OC Beacon, EXen REW, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, DYSSO,Tehsildar Keran, SHO and other district and sectoral officers.

The Deputy Commissioner along with engineers inspected the pace of work on the Keran Bridge, which will act as a lifeline for Keran. She also inspected ongoing work of the vital road from Datt Bridge to Keran which is being executed by Beacon authorities.

Later, DC interacted with locals and tourists at Keran Payeen and urged them not to bring the polythene and plastic based items in scenic Keran valley and prevent potential harm to the environment of the area.She also inspected Govt. High school Kundyan and took the appraisal of attendance of staff, students and class room facilities.(KNS)