RAJOURI, OCTOBER 19: District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan today visited panchayat Sangpur Narian West of block Doongi where he inaugurated a Bowli constructed under IWMP.
Among others, BDO Doongi, Mohd Arif; JEE Doongi, Sarpanch Sangpur Narian West, Jagmohan Kour besides locals of the area were present on the occasion.
The work has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 lakh under Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) by the Rural Development Department.
While speaking on the occasion, the DDC said that the District Administration Rajouri is working on a multi-pronged strategy to conserve and preserve water resources and sought active cooperation of the public in this connection.
He stressed upon the need to adopt Rainwater harvesting including Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting, percolation pits, check dams, diversion drains, roadside drains to conserve rainwater for subsequent use in different activities
He said as the government is preparing to provide the tap water connections to all rural households, there is again a need for MGNREGA convergence with an emphasis on water harvesting to ensure source sustainability.
“Womenfolk in rural areas are the most sufferers in the times of water scarcity and the District Administration has kept the ladies at the forefront to ensure the efficient management of water resources in the district and for this, a woman’s water conservation club at district level has set up and concrete measures are being taken to ensure that maximum women of the district are registered with the club”, the DDC said.
He informed that at first, the water resources on the roadside have been targeted to be repaired and renovated and similar work would be carried out on other water bodies of the district also.
DDC asked the concerned officers from RDD for rejuvenation of Bowlies and other Water Bodies in a traditional way for the percolation of more water to enhance the groundwater level through MGNREGA works.
He also appealed to the general public of district to develop water-saving habits and use the precious natural resources judiciously to save them for future generations.
Later, the DDC also interacted with the locals and made them aware of welfare schemes and programs of the government and urged upon them to avail benefits of the same.
Locals apprised the DDC about several issues and demands of their areas including augmentation in water and power supply, better health care facilities, construction of road from the main road to Khatwal Mohalla, sanctioning of a PHC, veterinary centre, up-gradation of middle school Narian besides other related issues.
DDC gave a patient hearing to all the grievances protected on the occasion and assured that all their genuine concerns would be redressed on priority.
Underlining the measures being taken for engaging the youth in self-employment generation activities, the DDC informed that numerous initiatives are being taken under Mission Youth and urged upon the youth to avail the benefits of the same.
He also asked the PRIs and public to identify the community assets within the forest boundaries like bowlis, bridal path, grazing areas, tractor roads etc so that the same could be covered under the Forest Right Act and necessary benefits are provided to the public.
Later, the DDC also visited a cutting and tailoring centre in the panchayat where a month-long training for 33 girls is going on. He advised the trainees not to limit this knowledge to themselves but also to train the other women of the district.
